Highlighting India as its foremost ally in South Asia, the Biden administration has emphasized its collaborative efforts with New Delhi in implementing a multi-billion-dollar climate infrastructure project, along with the establishment of a new fund featuring a significant investment contribution of USD 500 million from its development finance institution.
Afreen Akhter, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA), conveyed this message during a press briefing organized by the Washington Foreign Press Center.
"With India, which of course is our biggest partner in South Asia, we launched in January of last year the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology. We call this iCET,” Akhter stated, highlighting the ambitious agenda aimed at fortifying the semiconductor supply chain, enhancing space cooperation, and collaborating on cutting-edge telecommunications advancements.
Moreover, the United States is actively promoting regional resilience against transnational threats, particularly focusing on infrastructure development, climate change mitigation, and pandemic response. Akhter elaborated on the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, a recent initiative aimed at deploying substantial investments in climate infrastructure, including a USD 500 million contribution from the Development Finance Corporation. This initiative encompasses the deployment of 40,000 public e-buses through an innovative financing mechanism facilitated by the governments of India and the United States, alongside philanthropic partners.
Additionally, the Climate Action Champions Work in South Asia has been initiated to nurture the next generation of climate leaders, supporting advocacy efforts and addressing regional climate-related challenges.
Akhter underscored the deepening defense partnership between the US and India, citing joint military exercises, strengthened defense industrial cooperation, and the annual 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue as significant milestones in this regard. She emphasized the pivotal role of defense collaboration within the broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
The United States continues to make substantial investments across South Asia, as evidenced by the half-billion-dollar investment announcement jointly made with India's Adani Group for the expansion of the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka. This investment aims to enhance Sri Lanka's economic prowess within the region.
Furthermore, to bolster regional security, the US has been actively engaging with South Asian partners, providing them with new capabilities. Notably, recent initiatives include the delivery of four patrol boats to the Maldives and the provision of three Coast Guard cutters to Sri Lanka.
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