The third edition of the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit is set to take place at Stanford University, California, on September 9 and September 10, 2024. This significant event, which aims to strengthen the cross-border defence innovation ecosystems between the United States and India, will bring together top defence leaders, policymakers, startups, investors, and industry professionals.
Hosted by the US India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) in collaboration with Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Centre for National Security Innovation and the Hoover Institution, the summit will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, including former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Harnessing Investment Opportunities in Defence Innovation
The central theme of this year’s INDUS-X Summit revolves around “harnessing investment opportunities to enhance cross-border defence innovation ecosystems.” The summit will emphasize the crucial role of private capital and investments in driving advancements in the defence innovation sector. The event is expected to create new avenues for co-production, collaboration, and investment between the two nations.
Launched in June 2023, INDUS-X has quickly become a pivotal platform for expanding the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between India and the United States. The summit will serve as a bridge, linking defence innovators from startups, venture capital, academia, accelerators, and industries across both countries.
Showcasing Cutting-Edge Defence Technologies
One of the highlights of the INDUS-X Summit will be the state-of-the-art INDUS-X Tech Expo, which will showcase cutting-edge technologies and innovations from leading defence and aerospace startups and companies. The expo will attract the participation of venture capital firms, academics, accelerators, and tech professionals from the Bay Area, providing a unique opportunity for stakeholders to engage with the latest advancements in defence technology.
The first edition of the INDUS-X Summit was held in Washington, D.C., on June 21, 2023, just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic state visit to the United States. The inaugural event featured a joint showcasing of innovative technologies by Indian and US startups, covering domains such as maritime, artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and space.
Strengthening US-India Defence Relations
The upcoming summit will also see participation from senior US officials, including Congressman Ro Khanna, who serves as the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems (CITI). Other notable attendees include Radha Iyengar Plumb, Deputy Under Secretary of Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment at the US Department of Defence.
The collaboration between Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and the Defence Innovation Unit (DIU), representing the Indian Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defence (DoD) respectively, underscores the commitment of both nations to advancing defence innovation. This partnership is expected to drive significant progress in technology integration and innovation, enhancing the capabilities of both nations’ defence sectors.
As the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem Summit 2024 approaches, it marks another milestone in the deepening strategic ties between the two countries, particularly in the realm of defence and technology. With an impressive lineup of participants and cutting-edge innovations on display, the summit is poised to set the stage for future collaborations and investments that will shape the defence landscape of both nations.
