The US Department of Defense and the Indian Ministry of Defense launched the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) today at a catalyst event hosted by the US-India Business Council. Launched on the backdrop of Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to the White House and at a time of historic momentum for United States-India relations, INDUS-X will invigorate our defense industrial cooperation and enable new innovations in technology and manufacturing. INDUS-X will create jobs for working families in both countries and promote peace, security and prosperity worldwide.

The event brought together representatives from more than 30 US and Indian start-ups, as well as government, business, academic and thought leaders for wide-ranging discussions to advance cutting-edge technology collaboration between our countries’ defense industrial ecosystems.

Following the launch event, the US Department of Defense and the Indian Department of Defense welcomed an ambitious project Agenda for cooperation The initiatives that the INDUS X players want to promote are outlined here. These initiatives complement existing collaborations between governments and include joint prize competitions for start-ups, roundtable events, mentor-protégé initiatives between major primes and start-ups, and the formation of a Senior Advisory Group.

In talks throughout the day, US and Indian officials reiterated that INDUS-X will drive innovation and help equip both countries’ armed forces with the capabilities they need to defend a free and open Indo-Pacific.