NEW DELHI, India (Diya TV ) — The United States and India are preparing to renew efforts to strengthen their advanced technology partnership ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s expected visit to India next week. A delegation of senior U.S. National Security Council officials is also expected to arrive in the country to lay the groundwork for closer cooperation.
The discussions will focus on the TRUST initiative, a bilateral program designed to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, space, biotechnology, and other critical technology sectors. Both countries see the initiative as an important part of their strategic partnership.
However, progress has faced challenges in recent years. Now, officials from both sides are looking to rebuild momentum and strengthen support for key technology projects.
The renewed effort also highlights the growing importance of U.S.-India cooperation as both countries seek to secure critical supply chains and advance emerging technologies.
The initiative, launched in February 2025, builds on earlier cooperation between the two countries. It was previously known as the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies under former President Joe Biden. After President Donald Trump took office, his administration renamed the program and continued its work under the TRUST banner.
Despite the change in administration, India has continued to support the initiative. According to people familiar with the discussions, Washington initially favored a flexible, case-by-case approach to technology cooperation rather than a formal framework led by both countries’ national security advisers.
However, India’s continued push has helped bring the U.S. government back on board. Both sides now recognize that a stronger framework could provide greater political support for joint projects.
A more regular dialogue between Rubio and Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval could help revive the initiative. The two senior officials would play an important role in maintaining high-level support for technology cooperation.
Rubio and Doval last met in May 2025, when the U.S. secretary of state visited New Delhi for four days. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the TRUST initiative was featured in their discussions.
However, it remains unclear whether Rubio and Doval will meet during the secretary’s upcoming visit. The U.S. State Department has said Rubio will meet senior Indian government officials to strengthen the strategic partnership and exchange views on regional and global developments.
He will also discuss opportunities for greater energy cooperation. In addition, Rubio plans to meet business leaders to encourage commercial investment and expand economic ties between the two countries.
These discussions could help create fresh opportunities for businesses and research institutions. They could also support broader cooperation in areas that both governments consider important to national security and economic growth.
The TRUST initiative focuses on four major areas of cooperation. Each aims to address shared challenges while creating opportunities for investment, research, and technological development.
The first area involves artificial intelligence infrastructure. Under the proposed AI Infrastructure Roadmap, the two countries aim to expand U.S.-origin AI infrastructure in India. The plan seeks to identify and address barriers involving financing, electricity, connectivity,y and regulatory approvals.
The second area covers critical minerals. Both countries want to improve the recovery, processing, and recycling of strategic resources, including lithium and rare earth elements. These minerals play a vital role in electric vehicles, electronics, renewable energy systems, and advanced manufacturing.
The third area focuses on supply chain security. The initiative seeks to reduce dependence on China for pharmaceutical active ingredients, which companies use to produce medicines. At the same time, both countries want to encourage greater American investment in India’s biopharmaceutical sector.
The fourth area aims to strengthen links between industry and academic institutions. Cooperation in space, biotechnology and energy could help researchers develop new technologies and bring them to market more quickly.
Reviving TRUST could help Washington and New Delhi turn shared priorities into practical projects. Stronger cooperation could also improve supply chain resilience, encourage private investment and support innovation in critical sectors.
For India, the initiative offers opportunities to attract advanced technology, expand domestic manufacturing and strengthen its role in global supply chains. For the United States, closer ties with India could create new commercial opportunities and diversify access to important technologies and resources.
Nevertheless, the initiative’s success will depend on sustained political support and progress on practical challenges. Financing, infrastructure, and regulatory approvals could affect how quickly projects move forward.
Rubio’s expected visit offers both governments an opportunity to renew their commitment and clarify the next steps. If senior officials establish a more regular dialogue, the TRUST initiative could gain fresh momentum and become a stronger pillar of the U.S.-India strategic partnership.
