Mumbai : The Consulate General of India in New York hosted a high-level roundtable titled “From Traction to Transaction: Bridging the Gap – Co-creating the Next Era of Innovation, Investment & Global Leadership,” bringing together senior policymakers, industry leaders, and academic experts from India and the United States to advance the next phase of bilateral cooperation in emerging technologies, investment, and talent exchange.

Hosted jointly by Primus Partners and Meridian International Center, the discussions marked a decisive shift in the India–U.S. partnership—from shared intent to tangible outcomes—focused on innovation, defense collaboration, responsible AI, and cross-border investment.

Opening remarks from representatives of both nations underscored the shared vision of advancing Mission 500, which seeks to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. The session explored how deeper integration in clean energy, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, and defense could reshape global supply chains and unlock new investment pathways.

Education and talent mobility emerged as a key pillar of long-term cooperation. Leaders emphasized the creation of a strong India–U.S. knowledge corridor through enhanced student exchange, academic partnerships, and skill development initiatives aimed at strengthening the global innovation workforce.

On the frontier of AI governance, participants discussed how the two democracies could co-develop frameworks that align ethics, data sovereignty, and technology standards—positioning India and the U.S. as partners in building a transparent and secure digital future.

Conversations on the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) reaffirmed the need to move beyond policy dialogue toward joint execution in deep-tech and defense manufacturing. With momentum from agreements like GE–HAL jet engine co-production, speakers called for regulatory alignment and joint R&D ecosystems to ensure delivery-driven cooperation by 2026–2027.

Reflecting on the dialogue, Nilaya Varma, Co-Founder and CEO, Primus Partners, said:

“Talk is easy. What matters is turning ideas into impact. This U.S.–India dialogue did exactly that — real conversations to drive real outcomes.”

Adding her perspective, Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, Smriti Irani, remarked:

“India and the US don’t need a handshake — they need a steel frame of trust. A partnership grounded in shared ideals and respect for each other’s strengths, free from the shadows of old hierarchies, and focused on building a future of equal purpose.”

In closing, representatives from both sides highlighted that the strength of the India–U.S. partnership now lies in its ability to deliver measurable progress—driven by innovation, investment, and shared democratic values.