U.S. backs India for permanent U.N. Security Council membership

The leaders affirmed their commitment to a partnership anchored in democracy and rule of law while highlighting specific new agreements in semiconductors, space, and defense procurement.

Who it concerns: The agreement involves the United States and India, specifically affecting their governments, defense sectors, and private industries. Named entities include the U.S. Space Force, Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, GlobalFoundries, Ford Motor Company, NASA, ISRO, the National Science Foundation, India’s Department of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Department of Biotechnology, IBM, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Commerce Department, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, General Atomics, Liquid Robotics, Sagar Defence Engineering, Lockheed Martin, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, and the Ministry of Defence.

What was agreed

• India will assume co-lead of Combined Task Force 150 in 2025 to secure sea lanes in the Arabian Sea.
• Establishment of a new semiconductor fabrication plant for infrared, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide semiconductors, supported by the India Semiconductor Mission and a partnership between Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the U.S. Space Force.
• Creation of the GF Kolkata Power Center by GlobalFoundries to enhance chip manufacturing research and development.
• Mobilization of up to $90+ million in U.S. and Indian government funding over the next five years for the U.S.-India Global Challenges Institute.
• Award of 11 funding awards between the National Science Foundation and India’s Department of Science and Technology with a combined $5+ million grant.
• Award of 12 funding awards between the National Science Foundation and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology with a combined outlay of nearly $10 million.
• U.S. Agency for International Development plans to invest an initial $7 million to expand the Asia Open RAN Academy.
• India is concluding the procurement of 31 General Atomics MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian).
• India set a uniform Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5 percent on the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector, including aircraft and engine parts.
• Signing of a teaming agreement between Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited to establish a new MRO facility in India for C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

Also in the document

• The U.S. supports India’s permanent membership in a reformed U.N. Security Council.
• A specific financial commitment of up to $90+ million over five years for the U.S.-India Global Challenges Institute.
• India’s decision to set a uniform 5% GST on the MRO sector to simplify the tax structure.
• The establishment of a new semiconductor fab focused on national security and green energy applications.
• The first joint effort by NASA and ISRO to conduct scientific research onboard the International Space Station in 2025.