AMCHAM’s Defense Committee held a meeting on January 31st at the office of Boeing India. Ms. Shweta B. Rao, Director, National Security Council Secretariat, Government of India and RDML Michael Baker, Defense Attache, U.S. Embassy participated in the discussions on the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), how defense could be brought in to discuss processes and platforms where both the U.S. and Indian government are collaborating and then moving forward in the interest of industry. Ms. Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM welcomed members, introduced Ms. Rao and then requested Mr. Alain Garcia, Chairman – Defense Committee, AMCHAM and Vice President, Global Business Development – India, Boeing Defense to give an industry overview and understanding of iCET. Ms. Rao gave a brief overview of the Government of India’s stance on iCET launched by both governments. Collaboration of industry and academia was noted as a high priority for the Government of India and industry was encouraged to take up this mission. Suggestions on need for respective NSC offices to take charge to result in expedition plus better technology was proposed. It was reiterated that U.S. industry is not able to partner right from the concept stage unless they receive clearances which remain stagnate and hence lose out on opportunities. It was was deliberated that if industry is exploring opportunities with service customers on projects that they need capabilities for, but there is apprehension on, if choosing the iCET route might delay the clearances. U.S. industry presently works through the route of the Defense Attache office, State Department and then releasability check. NSCS offered to play the facilitator role to bring in relevant concerned stakeholders to push for issues and work on processes.