The September 2024 INDUS-X Summit, held in Silicon Valley, brought together an impressive roster of thought leaders and policymakers from the United States and India, underscoring the growing importance of defense and technological cooperation between the two nations. Among the prominent figures in attendance were Condoleezza Rice, Director of the Hoover Institute at Stanford University and former U.S. Secretary of State; Dr. Ajay Kumar, Former Defense Secretary of India; and Lindsey Ford, Senior Director for South Asia at the White House National Security Council (NSC). This is just a glimpse of the high-caliber attendees, highlighting the strategic nature of the discussions that took place. Founded by Seshu Kiran, XAIR is pivotal in designing stratospheric gliders with wind based dynamic soaring. XAIR is a contributor to IEEE 1920 standards to enable drone airspace management & ADXBus, a communications bus standard to similar to FlexRay.
The summit, which was security and technology cooperation-centric, emphasized the longstanding, friendly relationship between the U.S. and India. Both nations share common geopolitical goals on Earth, while also pursuing ambitious collaborative efforts in space. India’s rapidly advancing technological landscape and robust business sector make it an indispensable partner for the U.S., particularly in areas critical to 21st-century security and prosperity. The mutual benefits of this partnership are clear: as the U.S. seeks strong, reliable allies in securing global stability, India continues to position itself as a key player in technology and defense innovation.
INDUS-X traces its origins to June 2023, when the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) launched the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem. The initiative is a cornerstone of the bilateral commitment to strengthen defense innovation through the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). The mission is clear: to build a robust defense innovation bridge between the two countries, facilitating partnerships across industries, incubators, accelerators, investors, and academic institutions with the full backing of both governments.
The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) and the Society of Indian Defense Manufacturers (SIDM) co-organized the INDUS-X Summit. It brought together stakeholders from U.S. and Indian defense companies, researchers, investors, and government officials, all focused on enhancing defense innovation through collaboration. By creating more opportunities for public-private partnerships, INDUS-X will continue to unlock new areas of innovation that are crucial for the security of both nations.
Silicon Valley, known as a hub for cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking policy discussions, provided the perfect backdrop for the INDUS-X Summit. It’s clear that the conversations and connections made during the event will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of defense innovation and cooperation between the U.S. and India. As the partnership deepens, INDUS-X will continue to serve as a catalyst for both nations to work together in developing critical technologies for a secure, mutually prosperous future in defense and beyond.
Patrick Egan, Vice President of Enterprise and Government Solutions, represented the company at the event. XAIR now is a wholly owned subsidiary of Azle Technologies, a deep tech holdings company based in the US.