U.S.-India ICT Working Group launched to boost cooperation

It aims to address policy development, commercial opportunities, and regulatory issues to strengthen the bilateral economic partnership.

Who it concerns: The agreement involves the governments of India and the United States. Specific entities named include the U.S. Department of State, Department of Commerce, U.S. Trade Representatives Office, Federal Communications Commission, India's Ministry of Information and Communications, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and the Ministry of External Affairs. It also involves the private sector in the information and telecommunications industries.

What was agreed

• Launch of the United States - India Information and Communications Technology Working Group.
• Focus on enhancing understanding and sharing perspectives on developments in information and telecommunications sectors.
• Exploration of policy development, commercial opportunities, and obstacles.
• Coordination in multilateral settings including the World Summit on the Information Society, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and World Trade Organization (WTO).
• Exploration of investment and regulatory regimes to maximize sector development, market access, and competition.
• Complementing the work of the existing High-Technology Cooperation Group and the Cybersecurity Forum.

Also in the document

• The U.S. encourages liberalization of telecommunications markets worldwide and supports open, interoperable, non-discriminatory, and demand-driven standards.
• The dialogue aims to incorporate private sector stakeholder views into government decisions.