WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. lawmakers said India is emerging not just as a defense buyer or technology market, but as a critical partner for the United States in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and Indo-Pacific security.
Speaking at a discussion hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Representative Rich McCormick warned against restricting India’s access to advanced U.S. technologies, arguing that such limits would be counterproductive.
“If we start limiting access to our products, that’s going to be bad for us as a country,” McCormick said.
He stressed that keeping India aligned with U.S. technology standards is strategically important. “If we limit our good chips to the rest of the world, they’ll get them from somewhere else… then they become the standard,” he said.
Indian American Representative Ami Bera described artificial intelligence as “a transformational technology” that requires close cooperation between the two countries.
“The United States and India should work incredibly closely together to both advance AI, solve challenges that are going to emerge,” Bera said.
Bera said collaboration in AI could extend into health care and global development, while also prompting a rethinking of talent mobility. “It’s also an opportunity for us to rethink what visas look like,” he said, suggesting new pathways for high-skilled workers.
Both lawmakers linked deeper technology cooperation to strengthening defense ties. Bera said defense-to-defense relations between the two countries are on “a good trajectory,” pointing to co-production initiatives and joint military exercises.
“We want to continue doing more joint exercises, joint training, joint development,” he said.
McCormick noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for defense self-reliance, saying, “Prime Minister Modi’s ultimate goal… is to be independent as a defence contractor,” while pointing to India’s requirements for majority domestic ownership in defense projects.
At the same time, McCormick criticized the state of U.S. defense systems. “Our technologies have not kept up in the defence industry,” he said, calling out reliance on “antiquated systems.”
Both lawmakers voiced strong support for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or QUAD. “The reason I know the Quad’s so important is because Beijing hates it,” Bera said.
They also highlighted people-to-people ties as a major strategic asset. McCormick cited the large presence of Indian students in the United States. “We have a quarter million Indian students here right now,” he said, warning that pushing them out would benefit U.S. competitors.
Bera said talent flows are becoming more dynamic. “They see how fast the Indian domestic market is growing… they can move back and forth,” he said.
The discussion also touched on the infrastructure demands of AI and data centers. McCormick said the power requirements are immense. “There’s no way you’re going to produce that kind of power from anything other than nuclear,” he said.
Bera added that India faces energy and water constraints as it expands digital infrastructure. “As Prime Minister Modi wanted to build out data centers, they don’t have enough energy, and they don’t have enough water,” he said, pointing to opportunities for collaboration on desalination and civil nuclear technology.
Both lawmakers said deeper cooperation with India ultimately strengthens U.S. competitiveness on the global stage. “This isn’t a one-way street. This is a two-way street,” Bera said. (Source: IANS)
