The third edition of the INDUS-X Summit, aimed at bolstering the defence innovation ecosystem between India and the United States, concluded on September 10. The two-day summit, held from September 9-10, was organised by the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and Stanford University.
One of the major outcomes of the summit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defence Innovation Unit (DIU). This agreement is set to enhance cooperation in defence innovation and deepen collaborations across industry, research, and investment sectors.
Other key highlights of the event included the announcement of a new challenge under the INDUS-X initiative, the release of the INDUS-X Impact Report, and the launch of an official INDUS-X webpage on the iDEX and DIU websites.
The summit offered a platform for startups and MSMEs from both nations to showcase next-generation technologies. It also facilitated crucial discussions through the Senior Advisory Group and Senior Leaders Forum—two advisory bodies under the INDUS-X framework. The discussions focused on future technology trends, capacity building for startups, funding opportunities for defence innovations, and strategies to strengthen defence supply chains.
The event saw participation from a wide array of stakeholders, including defence industry leaders, investment firms, startups, academia, think tanks, accelerators, and policymakers from both countries.
Amit Satija, Joint Secretary (Defence Industries Promotion) from Ministry of Defence, led the Indian delegation and emphasised the summit’s importance. “The third edition of the INDUS-X Summit reaffirms the commitment of both nations to advance defence technology through innovation and strategic collaboration,” he stated.
Launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the U.S. in June 2023, the INDUS-X initiative has achieved considerable progress in a short span of time. The initiative is steered by iDEX, on behalf of Ministry of Defence, and the DIU under the U.S. Department of Defense.