The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and India on the occasion of the U.S.-India Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Working Group meeting in New Delhi on October 17, 2024.
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The United States and India renewed our shared commitment to open, interoperable, reliable, and secure digital connectivity and ICT infrastructure to support the growth of the digital economy during a meeting of the U.S.-India Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Working Group in New Delhi on October 17, 2024.
The 2024 ICT Working Group included discussions with private sector representatives from both countries on the promotion of secure and resilient 5G and 6G wireless networks, including through open and interoperable approaches like Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN) and quantum communications; digital talent, collaboration on artificial intelligence (AI), expanding opportunities for Indian and U.S. Information Technology, telecommunications, electronics manufacturing, and semiconductor companies in both countries; and support for trustworthy cross-border data flows, data protection, and data privacy measures.
We both recognized the importance of promoting the development and deployment of open, interoperable, reliable, and secure ICT ecosystems in advanced and emerging economies. Both countries emphasized securing global ICT supply chains, promoting cybersecurity, protecting privacy and intellectual property rights and supporting digital freedom as central to their cooperation.
We acknowledged the need for a voluntary, context-specific approach to AI governance and risk management that supports innovation and responsible use of AI, while maintaining accountability and guarding against its misuse. We also acknowledged the importance of promoting equitable global access to AI systems and to the benefits of AI.
Additionally, the two governments concurred on collaborating in the following areas:
- Recognizing that fostering telecommunications supplier diversity has the potential to lower costs, improve flexibility, spur innovation, and increase options for trusted ICT suppliers, the United States and India intend to continue to promote the adoption of Open RAN at scale, including through continued discussions for the establishment of an Open RAN Academy in India.
- Joint efforts to promote trusted and resilient undersea cables and satellite systems, with the aim of enhancing global connectivity and supporting secure networks.
- Developing general principles, standards, and supporting research and development efforts for open and interoperable 6G networks.
- Affirming the importance of trustworthy cross-border data flows and data privacy protections to a strong digital economy and as an area for enhanced cooperation, including in fora such as the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules Forum.
- Continuing cooperation to address potential obstacles to further expansion of trade and investment in the ICT sector, such as testing and certification requirements as well as restrictions on permanent roaming for Internet of Things devices.
- Both India and the United States noted that the cross-border movement of professionals has effectively contributed to the economic and technological partnerships between the two nations and in this context the importance of efficient visa processing.
- Continuing to coordinate efforts in multilateral fora and multistakeholder settings, including on the responsible use of trustworthy AI technologies and in promoting AI safety.
- To operationalize the U.S.-India Global Digital Development Partnership, collaborate to facilitate and undertake joint development work in third countries in Africa and Asia focusing on emerging technologies from the Indian and the US public and private sectors and reiterated their support for the establishment of the Social Impact Fund for DPI implementation in the Global South.
This strategic partnership will leverage the strengths of both of our countries to advance the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies, fostering a more resilient, inclusive, and interconnected digital future.
Ambassador Stephan Lang, the U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy in the U.S. Department of State, led the U.S. delegation, which included other officials representing the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration and International Trade Administration, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Joint Secretary Sushil Pal of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTy) led the Indian delegation, which included other officials from MeiTy, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Department of Telecommunications, and the Centre for the Department of Telematics.
The ICT Working Group has served as a platform to discuss ICT and digital economy issues between the United States and India since 2005. The Working Group also serves as a platform to discuss and advance initiatives developed in other fora or dialogues, including the regional Quad Critical and Emerging Technology (CET) Working Group and the bilateral U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), as well as to advance our cooperation on 5G/6G research and development and Open RAN deployments as outlined in leader joint statements from June 2023, September 2023, and September 2024.
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