Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US visit has been in the news for a while, from ‘Modi-Modi’ chant to the PM gifting a lab-grown diamond to US first lady Jill Biden, all garnering attention from around the world. Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden announced a series of Defence and commercial deals which is designed to improve military and economic ties between India and the US during Thursday’s state visit to the White House.
General Electric Co. plans to jointly manufacture F414 engines with state-owned Indian firm Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, for the Tejas light-combat aircraft, as part of an effort to improve defense-and technology-sharing as China becomes more assertive in the Indo-Pacific.
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Modi and Biden announced a few defense collaborations including progress on an order for MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones made by General Atomics and an agreement that will allow American Navy Ships to undertake major repairs at Indian Shipyards.
They also debut a series of semiconductor deals designed to work as an advantage of Indian subsidies intended to bring advanced technology manufacturing to the South Asian nations.
“We have transitioned today to a relationship involving the transfer of technology, co-development, and co-production," Modi said as per Bloomberg, heralding the GE deal as a ‘landmark agreement.’
Micron Technology Inc. is investing more than $800 million toward a $2.75 billion semiconductor assembly and testing facility in India, while Applied Materials Inc. will announce a new semiconductor center for commercialization and innovation. Chip manufacturer Lam Research is announcing a training program in India for up to 60,000 engineers.
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Indian companies are planning more than $2 billion in projects in the United States, including a solar manufacturing facility in Colorado, steel plant in Ohio, and optic fiber facilities in South Carolina.
The accords came to light as India has sought to increase its engagement on the global stage both diplomatically and economically, senior US officials added.
