The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) is a high-level bilateral framework between the United States and India, established to strengthen their strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation. It is a concept or scheme designed to align the two nations' efforts in key technological domains shaping the 21st century.
The initiative was jointly unveiled by U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2022, with its formal launch and inaugural meeting taking place on January 31, 2023, in Washington, D.C., co-chaired by the respective National Security Advisors, Ajit Doval and Jake Sullivan. The core problem it addresses is the need for secure, resilient, and inclusive development by strategically collaborating on advanced technologies, thereby elevating the bilateral relationship.
iCET functions through a mechanism of joint task forces and public-private cooperation across governments, industry, and academia. Key areas of focus include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Computing, Semiconductors (for supply chain resilience), Wireless Telecommunication (5G/6G, OpenRAN), Space, and Defense Industrial Cooperation. Specific provisions include the Joint Indo-U.S. Quantum Coordination Mechanism and the INDUS-X initiative for defense startups. It connects to the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act and is shepherded by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in India and the National Security Council (NSC) in the U.S..
The iCET framework was recently replaced and upgraded. On February 13, 2025, during PM Modi's working visit to Washington, D.C., it was succeeded by the Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology (TRUST) framework. TRUST retains iCET's core focus but expands the scope to include new domains like critical minerals and a U.S.–India Roadmap on Accelerating AI Infrastructure.