US-India Semiconductor Plant in Kolkata, Drone Deal Highlight Modi-Biden Talks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed the strengthening of military ties between their countries, focusing on drone procurement and joint military exercises. The two leaders held bilateral talks during the Quad Summit at Biden’s residence in Delaware, U.S.

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President Biden welcomed India’s acquisition of 31 General Atomics MQ-9B drones (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian), which will boost India’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. He emphasized that U.S.-India relations are now stronger and more dynamic than ever, saying, “Our partnership with India is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history. Each time we meet, I’m amazed at how we find new areas for cooperation.”

In February, the U.S. had approved the $3.99 billion sale of these drones to India. The Indian Navy will receive 15 Sea Guardian drones, while the Air Force and Army will each receive eight Sky Guardian drones. The MQ-9B Predator drone, can fly under the radar just above the ground in addition to an altitude of 50,000 feet increasing its stealth capabilities, and also be armed with a variety of payloads, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. The leaders also praised the growing defense collaboration through the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) initiative, which began in 2023.

They also touched on a new semiconductor fabrication facility in Kolkata, built for advanced sensors, communications, and power electronics with the backing of the India Semiconductor Mission and U.S. firms such as Bharat Semi and 3rdiTech along with PEs like the U.S. Space Force. According to GlobalFoundries, the collaboration opens up opportunities in mobility (zero-emission vehicles), IoT device applications, AI, and data center services ready for 5G SPEED.

The Prime Minister also thanked President Biden for the return of 297 antiquities to India, strengthening cultural ties and fighting against the smuggling of illegal cultural properties. July witnessed the first-ever treaty signed between India and the U.S. to thwart illicit trade in cultural objects and return them to their source country.

In the conversation, Biden reiterated U.S. support for India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council and commended Modi’s recent travel to Poland and Ukraine, stressing that India is working toward peace and providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The Prime Minister is on a three-day visit to the U.S. to boost India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. He landed in New York City to speak at the UN and meet with U.S. corporate executives focused on cutting-edge technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors.

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