18-June-2024-Editorial

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (NSC) OF INDIA 

In the context of enhanced global strategic relations, the National Security Advisors of India and the U.S. recently met to discuss strengthening cooperation in various critical areas. This meeting marks the first official U.S. visit since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s re-election for a third term. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Delhi. 

National Security Council (NSC) of India 

• Purpose: The NSC advises the Prime Minister on national security and strategic interests. 
• Establishment: Created in 1998 by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 
• First NSA: Brajesh Mishra. 

Composition of the NSC 

Head: Prime Minister of India 

• Oversees all national security and strategic policies. 

National Security Advisor (NSA): 

• Principal advisor to the Prime Minister on national security. 
• Coordinates with ministries, agencies, and departments related to national security. 

Members: 

• National Security Advisor (NSA) 
• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) 
• Deputy National Security Advisors 
• External Affairs, Finance, Home, Union Ministers of Defence 
• Vice Chairman of the NITI Aayog 

Functions of the NSC 

• Policy Formulation and Coordination: Develops and coordinates national security policies. 
• Intelligence Assessment: Evaluates intelligence reports to inform security strategies. 
• Strategic Planning: Plans for long-term national security and strategic interests. 
• Crisis Management: Manages national security crises and emergencies. 
• International Security Cooperation: Enhances security collaboration with other countries. 

News Summary 

• Meeting: Ajit Doval and Jake Sullivan held bilateral talks in New Delhi. 
• Areas of Cooperation: Defence technology, space, artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing, and critical minerals. 
• Commitments: Both sides agreed to remove barriers to strategic trade and technology cooperation, particularly in the commercial and civil space sectors. 
• Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET): Both NSAs chaired the second meeting of this initiative. 

Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) 

• Purpose: A framework for India-U.S. cooperation on critical and emerging technologies. 
• Technologies: Includes AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and wireless telecommunications. 
• Announcement: Unveiled by Prime Minister Modi and President Biden during the Quad meeting in Tokyo, May 2022. 

• Launch: Started in 2023 to strengthen strategic partnerships and drive technological and defence cooperation. 

Focus Areas of iCET 

• Trusted Technology Partners: Positioning India and the U.S. as reliable partners in technology. 
• Research Collaboration: Setting up partnerships for research in AI and other advanced technologies. 
• Defence Industrial Cooperation: Creating a roadmap for joint development and production in defence technology. 
• Common Standards in AI: Developing unified standards for AI technologies. 
• Innovation Bridge: Connecting defence startups between the two nations. 
• Semiconductor Ecosystem: Supporting the development of semiconductor industries. 
• Human Space Flight: Strengthening cooperation in human space missions. 
• 5G and 6G Development: Advancing collaborations on next-generation telecommunications. 
• OpenRAN Technology: Promoting the adoption of Open Radio Access Networks in India. 

Conclusion 

The bilateral talks between India’s and the U.S.’s National Security Advisors underscore the commitment of both nations to deepen their strategic partnership. Through initiatives like iCET, India and the U.S. aim to foster cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, reinforcing their roles as global leaders in technology and defence. The extension of these discussions and frameworks promises to pave the way for substantial advancements in various sectors, benefiting both countries.