The third edition of the INDUS-X Summit, a significant event in advancing the joint defence innovation ecosystem between India and the United States, concluded on September 10, 2024. The Summit was held on September 9-10, 2024, and was jointly organized by the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and Stanford University.
Key Highlights
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing
- An MoU was signed between Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and the Defence Innovation Unit (DIU) under the U.S. Department of Defence.
- The agreement aims to enhance cooperation in defence innovation, deepen collaboration, and facilitate industry, research, and investment partnerships.
- New Initiatives and Announcements
- A new challenge was announced under INDUS-X.
- The INDUS-X Impact Report was released.
- The official INDUS-X webpage was launched on the iDEX and DIU websites.
Summit Activities and Discussions
- Platform for Startups/MSMEs
- The Summit provided a platform for showcasing next-generation technologies by startups and MSMEs.
- Advisory Forums
- The Senior Advisory Group and Senior Leaders Forum facilitated critical dialogue.
- Discussions focused on future technology trends, capacity building for startups, funding opportunities for defence innovations, and strengthening defence supply chains.
Participants
- The Summit saw participation from distinguished experts in the defence industry, investment firms, startups, academia, think tanks, accelerators, and policymakers from both nations.
Statements
- Joint Secretary (Defence Industries Promotion) Sh. Amit Satija, who led the Indian delegation, emphasized that the Summit reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to advance defence technology through innovation and strategic collaboration.
INDUS-X Initiative
- The INDUS-X initiative is spearheaded by iDEX on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and the DIU under the U.S. Department of Defence (DoD).
- Since its launch during the Prime Minister’s State visit to the United States in June 2023, INDUS-X has achieved significant milestones in a short period.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- When did the third edition of the INDUS-X Summit take place?
- A) September 7-8, 2024
- B) September 9-10, 2024
- C) September 10-11, 2024
- D) September 11-12, 2024
- Which organizations jointly organized the INDUS-X Summit?
- A) U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and Harvard University
- B) U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and Stanford University
- C) U.S. Department of Defence and Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)
- D) Stanford University and Defence Innovation Unit (DIU)
- What was a major outcome of the Summit?
- A) Launch of a new technology product
- B) Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between iDEX and DIU
- C) Establishment of a new defence research center
- D) Creation of a new startup incubator
- Which two advisory forums were part of the Summit discussions?
- A) Senior Advisory Council and Defence Innovation Board
- B) Senior Advisory Group and Senior Leaders Forum
- C) Defence Advisory Panel and Technology Innovation Forum
- D) Defence Strategy Group and Industry Advisory Committee
- Who led the Indian delegation at the INDUS-X Summit?
- A) Sh. Rajeev Kumar
- B) Sh. Amit Satija
- C) Sh. Sunil Arora
- D) Sh. Vinay Sharma