Washington, Feb 10 (NationPress) The partnership between the United States and India needs to be firmly established in the realm of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to effectively challenge authoritarian regimes and influence the global digital landscape. This insight comes from a new bilateral report that was unveiled on Tuesday, just a week prior to India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.

The report, titled U.S.–India AI and Emerging Technology Compact, was collaboratively developed by the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) and Observer Research Foundation (ORF) America. It posits that leadership in AI is not only essential for economic advancement but also critical for national defense and the principles that will govern the digital age.

“Both nations are ideally positioned for this moment,” stated Ylli Bajraktari, President of SCSP, in an interview with IANS. He characterized the partnership as a “symmetry of strength,” highlighting that the United States contributes “frontier hyperscale models, advanced R&D, and cutting-edge semiconductors,” while India offers “vast STEM talent, extensive data centers, and proven capabilities to implement technology on a large scale.”

The report emphasizes that this partnership should not operate on a hierarchical basis. “The goal is not for India to assume a subordinate role to the United States, but to merge our strengths and mitigate our weaknesses,” stated Rama Elluru, a senior adviser at SCSP and co-author of the report. “It should be a partnership of equals, not a dependency situation.”

Key recommendations center around advancing from research to practical applications. The report advocates for the establishment of a public-private U.S.–India AI Coalition to prioritize commercial and dual-use applications across sectors like healthcare, energy, and maritime awareness, as well as to weave AI collaboration into existing defense dialogues and joint military exercises.

Furthermore, infrastructure and semiconductors are vital components. The report advocates for the creation of a binational “AI stack” that encompasses data centers, cloud services, connectivity, and hardware, which could be marketed as a reliable alternative to adversarial technology ecosystems in the Global South.

It also calls for synchronizing U.S. and Indian semiconductor incentives and devising funding strategies to expedite AI infrastructure initiatives.

Talent cultivation and the establishment of standards are also crucial. Elluru pointed out that India holds advantages in both “the vast amount and quality” of AI talent and data. “Their datasets are not only extensive, but also remarkably diverse,” she noted, emphasizing that India’s capability to deploy technology on a broad scale is a significant asset.

The report suggests collaborative labor-market mapping and standardized certifications to facilitate the seamless movement of talent between the two nations.

A primary strategic rationale for this compact is to counter competition from China. Bajraktari cautioned that Beijing’s centralized system allows for swift execution of national strategies. “The United States cannot compete with China alone, which is why we rely on allies and partners,” he remarked.

Elluru further noted that improved coordination between U.S. and India would help exclude authoritarian platforms from emerging markets and grant India greater influence in setting agendas, beyond just market access.

Bajraktari highlighted that the summit’s theme of “AI impact for good” closely aligns with the report’s focus on applications aimed at enhancing productivity and societal welfare.

Elluru anticipates that the upcoming summit in Delhi will be the most significant of all global AI summits to date, emphasizing inclusivity and tangible outcomes.

Regarding regulatory approaches, Elluru stated that both nations share a similar philosophy. “Both parties aim to foster innovation while evaluating necessary safeguards, rather than the reverse,” she explained.

The report was crafted through Track 1.5 dialogues held in both Washington and New Delhi, engaging over 120 experts from government, industry, academia, and civil society. It aims to guide bilateral interactions and discussions at the upcoming AI Impact Summit in India in February 2026.