Department of Defense Spokesperson Jessica Maxwell provided the following readout:
Jesse Salazar, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, co-chaired the second Defense Technology and Trade Initiative Industry Collaboration Forum (DICF) Virtual Expo Nov. 8, 2021 8 with his Indian counterpart, Mr. Anurag Bajpai, Joint Secretary (Defence Industries). The virtual expo was held in partnership with the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and the Society of Indian Defence Manufactures (SIDM).
The DICF, a cornerstone of the U.S.-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), aims to deepen industrial cooperation between the U.S. and India by identifying opportunities to jointly research, develop, and produce warfighting capabilities. The November 8 DICF virtual expo focused on securing supply chains in critical sectors such as semiconductors and partnering for innovation in emerging domains, such as artificial intelligence and space.
Gregory Kausner, performing the duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, delivered recorded opening remarks, and DASD Salazar was joined in the discussion by Mr. Michael Vaccaro, acting Executive Director, International Cooperation, and senior executives from U.S. and Indian companies.
DASD Salazar looks forward to continuing this robust discussion at tomorrow's DTTI group and to hosting a future forum with startups and other industry leaders to deepen the discussions on supply chains and innovation.
