INDIA
- EU SEMICONDUCTOR PACT - ECONOMY
News:
India, EU sign
semiconductor pact to help build a robust supply chain
What's
in the news?
●
India
and the European Union (EU) have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the semiconductor ecosystem.
Key
takeaways:
●
The signing took place during the second
India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting, held virtually.
India
- EU Semiconductor Pact:
●
The agreement aims to facilitate investments, joint ventures and technology partnerships,
including the establishment of manufacturing facilities.
●
This move aligns with India’s
strategy to offer incentives amounting to $10 billion for chip manufacturing within the country.
India-EU
Trade and Technology Council (TTC):
●
The TTC mechanism was established in May,
making India the second country, after the US, to have such a mechanism with
the EU.
●
The establishment of the TTC was announced
in 2022 by the Indian Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission.
Chaired
by:
●
Co-chaired
by Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Minister of Commerce and
Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology
Ashwini Vaishnaw, this meeting strengthens the strategic
engagement on trade and technology between India and the EU.
Goal:
●
Its primary goal is to create a
high-level coordination platform addressing strategic challenges at
the intersection of trade, trusted technology, and security.
Features:
●
Ministerial meetings under the TTC occur
annually, ensuring regular high-level engagement between India and the EU.
●
These meetings occur, to promote
balanced participation and enhance bilateral cooperation.
Working
Groups:
Under TTC three
Working Groups has been established:
1.
WG on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital Connectivity:
●
Collaboratively addresses mutual
interests such as digital connectivity, Artificial Intelligence, 5G/6G,
high-performance and Quantum Computing, Semiconductors, cloud systems,
Cybersecurity, digital skills and digital platforms.
2.
WG on Green and Clean Energy Technologies:
●
Focuses on green technologies,
including investment and standards, with an emphasis on research and
innovation.
●
Explores areas like clean energy, Circular
Economy, waste management, plastic and ocean litter, waste to hydrogen,
and recycling of batteries for e-vehicles.
●
Promotes cooperation between EU and Indian
incubators, SMEs, and start-ups.
3.
WG on Trade, Investment and Resilient Value Chains:
●
Addresses the resilience of supply
chains and access to critical components, energy, and raw materials.
●
Works on resolving identified trade
barriers and global trade challenges through cooperation in multilateral
forums.
●
Aims to promote international standards
and cooperation in addressing global geopolitical challenges.
Significance:
●
The TTC meeting also assessed the
progress in various areas such as high-performance computing, digital
public infrastructure, electric vehicle batteries, waste recycling, resilient
supply chains and foreign direct investment (FDI) screening.