Every March, International Women’s Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate the strides women have made across sectors. At the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), we know women are crucial in economic development, business, and innovation. We strive not just to observe International Women’s Day, but actively participate in the movement for women’s empowerment. 

Some of our projects include: 

• Education and Skills Training for Widows

The Loomba Foundation was established in 1997 to support widows and their children across the world, particularly in cultures that discriminate against widows. The Loomba Foundation and the US-India Friendship Alliance, the philanthropic arm of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, have partnered to provide skills training to 5000 widows in multiple sectors including hospitality, tourism, beauty, healthcare, and food processing. By receiving employment opportunities, training, counseling, and support, these women can gain economic independence and dignity. 

• Empowering Women in Energy

USISPF and the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) South Asia Regional Energy Hub (SAREH) have collaborated to launch South Asia Women in Energy (SAWIE), a transformative platform for women in the energy sector. This joint venture fosters a more inclusive energy landscape where women can ascend to leadership roles and shape the future of energy in South Asia. By providing mentorship, addressing persistent barriers, disseminating best practices, and advocating for inclusive organizational policies, this platform bolsters women’s roles as key stakeholders in the energy industry.

SAWIE also hosts events and workshops, such as the “Together We Rise: South Asia Women Leading the Energy Future” event, that symbolize the theme #InspireInclusion.

• Women Forward International 

US-India Friendship Alliance has forged a multifaceted partnership with Women Forward International (WFI) and Parsons School of Design to reinvigorate the traditional art of creating Himroo shawls. By introducing these hand-woven shawls from Maharashtra to the international luxury fashion market, the initiative not only preserves a treasured cultural craft but also empowers the local women artisans financially and socially. The collaboration provides training, support, and market access to ensure that these artisans’ skills translate into sustainable income and community upliftment. Additionally, the partnership’s focus on sustainability and economic empowerment aligns with WFI’s broader mission to address critical issues of human progress and unite communities through collaborative action.

• The U.S.-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment

The U.S.-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment, established by a consortium of the State Department, USAID, USISPF, and George Washington University, spearheads efforts to reinforce women’s economic presence in India. By accelerating entrepreneurship, enhancing workforce leadership, and facilitating skill-building opportunities, the Alliance addresses multifaceted dimensions of women’s economic resilience. Noteworthy initiatives, such as the Women@Work program, directly tackle the economic challenges exacerbated by the pandemic and provide women with tools for sustainable economic participation. The India Million Women Mentors Initiative is another cornerstone project of the Alliance, aiming to connect a million women and girls with mentors. These initiatives are not just investments in women’s potential but are also steps toward realizing a vision of an inclusive and equitable economic future.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognize the progress made and acknowledge the work that remains. It’s a day to celebrate the achievements of women, to inspire action, and to continue pushing for equality in every sphere of life. The journey is far from over, but with the continued commitment and collaboration between organizations, governments, and communities, we move closer to a world where women have equal opportunities to thrive and lead.

By Kudrat Soin, Communications and Research Intern at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.

By Malachy Nugent, Vice President, Financial Services at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.

A salient feature of the Indo-Pacific Quadrilateral Dialogue or Quad has been a concerted effort and joint cooperation on the aspect of critical and emerging technologies. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden recognized this during the second in-principal Quad Summit in Tokyo in 2022 and soon enough, the inaugural high-level dialogue on the Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) between both National Security Advisors was initiated to strengthen the defense relationship and consolidating the strategic relationship between Washington and New Delhi.

The iCET dialogue paved the way for important policy outcomes from Prime Minister Modi’s recent state visit and accentuated the level of trust that the United States and India share as major defense partners.

The policy outcomes were wide-ranging from a jet engine deal to drone technology to strengthening the US-India defense ecosystem through INDUS-X, coalescing with defense startups across both countries, a focus on 6G technology, quantum computing, and of course investments in semiconductor manufacturing.

In an era of tech innovation and autonomous warfare, the electronics sector, particularly semiconductors is the new focus. India’s recent SemiconIndia 2023 Conference accentuated this, as the conference with the theme of ‘Catalyzing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem’ attracted over 8000 people, from 23 countries, and highlighted

India’s growing prowess in the global electronics manufacturing sector.

India, for long had been primarily an agrarian economy, adopted fast to a services-focused economy in the 1990s, as the economy opened up, and today is recalibrating its focus to high-end electronic manufacturing through initiatives such as Make In India and Production Linked Incentives (PLI Schemes).

As India seeks to invest in a clean energy economy, rejig its manufacturing economy, strengthen supply chains, and build on next-gen critical and emerging technologies, it behooves to make semiconductors a priority. As India invests in semiconductors, whose ubiquitous applications across all sectors, from telecom to defense to automobiles advanced computing, will also help fructify its vision of “self-reliance”, a core priority for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

There is now increased scope for collaborations with fellow Quad members in the U.S., Japan, and Australia, as New Delhi along with other members of the Quad focuses on deepening the value chain and facilitating the building of a world-class semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.

Ahead of the G20 Summit, India wants to showcase a vision of being a viable hub for semiconductor design and manufacturing, and the steps are being laid to secure that foundation.

India’s Independence Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic state visit further elevated US India relations and enhanced the strategic partnership, both from a manufacturing perspective and brought about collaboration in the field of critical and emerging technologies. The Prime Minister’s visit also puts the US India strategic partnership in the pantheon of the most defining partnership of the 21st century.

As we take stock of another year of India’s independence, India remains one of the fastest-growing economies as cyclical headwinds and the war in Ukraine affects other G20 economies.

Apropos of the G20, the country’s big G20 moment comes next month, with India holding the Presidency later this year.  Prime Minister Modi’s message ahead of the Summit has been clear- India’s presidency is based on the importance of equitable growth and a shared future for all.

Post-Pandemic Priorities: India’s Focus on Climate Action, Supply Chains, and Healthcare

New Delhi’s priorities are towards climate action, strengthening supply chains, focusing on critical and emerging technologies, and healthcare remains a focus based on the harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The healthcare crisis also saw India’s steely resolve with its pharmaceutical prowess, mass vaccination drive, and delivery of cost-affordable vaccines to emerging markets.

The pandemic also exacerbated the supply chain crisis, and the focus remains to rebuild and restore supply chains that were disrupted by the pandemic. Two other major themes emerge from rebuilding supply chains. The focus is on high-end tech manufacturing with data being the new oil, and semiconductors playing a central role in reshaping technological advantage. As per the recent SemiconIndia 2023 Conference in Gujarat, India is redefining an electronic competitive advantage and working to build a world-class semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.

India’s Thrust on High-End Tech Manufacturing and Semiconductors

India’s manufacturing economy and the country as a hub for semiconductor design and manufacturing are helped by the government’s focus on initiatives such as Make in India and the Production Linked Incentives (PLI schemes).  

This is vital as companies and CEOs across board rooms are now adopting a China plus one strategy and India, with its large labor talent pool and the country is in a pivotal position to capture the high-end component manufacturing market.

Transforming India into an Apple  Manufacturing Hub

This has been further accentuated by the trillion-dollar giant Apple. The Cupertino-based company’s decision to open its first retail store in India is an affirmation of the faith that American multinationals have placed in India’s manufacturing potential. Apple’s decision will pave the way for other multinational giants to enter the Indian market.

In the friendshoring era, New Delhi’s ability to produce cutting-edge products and enhance its manufacturing potential will be vital as companies seek to diversify their supply chains.

The manufacturing aspect has a two-way component and on the commercial side, Air India’s decision to procure over 200 American-made aircraft from Boeing is a boost to the American manufacturing economy. 

Strengthening U.S.-India Strategic Partnership

The deep synergy in technology was codified earlier this year as both Washington and New Delhi strengthened their strategic partnership through the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) under the aegis of both National Security Advisors. 

The focus is not just on semiconductors, but rethinking tech partnerships through quantum computing, artificial intelligence, defense, innovation, and advanced telecom, and with the recent success of Chandrayaan-3, space is the next destination, as both ISRO and NASA have agreed to enhance space strategies.

The state visit highlighted the tech synergy with a strong defense component, with the jet engines deal and acquisition of predator drones and a closer defense focus on the Indo-Pacific.

Biden and Modi’s Meeting and the Potential for Global Change

President Biden and Prime Minister Modi will meet again on the sidelines of the G20 summit and reaffirm the strength of the partnerships, which has the power and potential to change the lives of citizens and solve the pressing problems of the 21st century, with a focus on a green economy and energy security and technology to uplift the lives and well-being of millions.

US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and our member companies recently participated in the US-India Energy Roundtable chaired by the Honorable Minister, H.E. Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs and HE Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm, the U.S. Secretary of Energy.

The U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership is a collaborative effort between the governments, private sector, and other stakeholder efforts to advance energy security, clean energy innovation, and decarbonization efforts to support the energy transition while ensuring clean energy access.

The dialogue brought together senior executives of leaders from both the private sector and public sector across the United States and India to take stock of the bilateral partnership and discuss avenues for private sector contribution towards India’s energy security and energy transition, under the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership framework.

The U.S.-India energy partnership plays a crucial role in the broader relationship between the two largest democracies of the world. Against the backdrop of India’s G20 presidency and recently concluded U.S.-India Strategic Partnership (SCEP) Dialogue, the discussions served to best understand how the private sector in both countries can work collaboratively with both governments and highlighted incredible opportunities in India’s energy sector, especially in the oil and gas, emerging fuels, and energy transition space.

Both countries have underscored the critical importance of bilateral clean energy engagement and the achievements of the SCEP in being able to strengthen energy security, create new opportunities for clean energy innovation, tackle climate change and create employment in the clean energy sector.

There is a growing energy trade between the two largest democracies as both Washington and New Delhi work towards their renewed commitment to sustainable energy transition, as the countries prioritize access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy supply across nations.

USISPF hosted the “U.S.- India Energy Leaders Panel
Discussion” on the side-lines of the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial and 8th Mission Innovation (CEM14/MI-8) meeting.

Energy leaders from both countries discussed decarbonization of the energy sector, energy security, and economic growth through the lens of the green hydrogen economy.

The panel explored the challenges and opportunities seen by the two diverse economies and discussed navigating the path from a subsidy-supported sector to a fully matured and sustainable hydrogen economy.

Both the U.S. and India are working towards the importance of promoting energy access, affordability, and energy justice in both countries, with a view to the development of net zero villages in India.

Both President Biden and Prime Minister Modi will meet again on the sidelines of the G20 in September as clean energy will be a core priority at the summit.