US & India Boost Defence Tech Ties with iDEX Showcase at IIT Delhi

A US delegation, led by SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, visited iDEX-DIO at IIT Delhi. The visit focused on fostering defence innovation through startups and MSMEs. Both sides applauded the INDUS-X initiative, aimed at enhancing the India-US tech partnership in defence.

A US delegation, spearheaded by Isabel Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the US Small Business Administration (SBA), visited Innovations for Defence Excellence-Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) and the Department of Defence Production. The showcase was hosted at IIT Delhi on Monday.

The US delegation met with Indian officials led by Amit Satija, Joint Secretary of Defence Production. A detailed overview of iDEX was presented, underscoring how it has cultivated deep-tech technologies by collaborating with startups and MSMEs. Guzman, the 27th Administrator of the US SBA, praised the vibrant start-up environment and the significant impact of the iDEX initiative on India's defence innovation ecosystem.

She expressed the SBA's eagerness to engage further with iDEX and its startups during the upcoming summit to explore potential collaborations. The US SBA is an independent federal agency providing financial options from micro-lending to investment capital, aimed at supporting small businesses.

Both parties also commended the INDUS-X (India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem) initiative for its role in strengthening technological partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the two nations. Key INDUS-X initiatives include joint innovation projects in critical sectors and capacity building of startups. Currently, iDEX is collaborating with over 450 start-ups and MSMEs. The Ministry of Defence has cleared procurement worth over Rs 2,300 crore through successful iDEX projects, facilitating young innovators and advancing the Make in India drive towards a developed Bharat.

(With inputs from agencies.)