Welcome Tech Deals With The US, But A Balance Is Required

The geopolitical balance of power in Asia has ensured that India has become an important partner for the US in containing China. We saw this during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the US and some hi-tech deals that were not available to India. The most important of these is the Memorandum of Understanding between General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) for the next generation F414 military jet engine. This will form the basis for the modernization of the aging fleet of the Indian Air Force. HAL has been fighting jet engine technology since 1980. Another development is that US-based Micron Technology has set up a semiconductor manufacturing plant in India. The United States is eager to end China's monopoly on the global supply chain, while India is more than happy to be the new microchip manufacturing hub.

In the joint statement of the two countries, the word "technology" is mentioned at least 44 times. The range of collaborations includes everything from spaceflight to accelerated collaboration in green hydrogen and wind technology. These deals mark the end of the days when India was the sweatshop of the West, the low-cost end of the global production chain. New technologies will drive significant growth from India's vast talent pool and provide much-needed jobs and skills.

It is encouraging that we are using both soft and hard power to extract concessions from the US. But what are the hidden costs? Will GE take license to build Indian fighter engines for HAL's indigenization program? India has always emphasized self-sufficiency in technology. 'Make in India' has been a state petition for eight years. Are we jeopardizing that goal? We should look at the American game of dominoes. Washington is escalating its conflict with China, it wants to increase India's military capabilities with modern technology.

One particular goal is to increase India's naval shipyards as a military base for the US Navy, which could provoke a strong response from China. India has so far balanced its relations with the great powers through an active policy of 'non-alignment'. Will the current turn of events bring the country into the arms of the Western bloc? While we have the right to access advanced technology, the conditions of access must be strictly controlled

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