The US government has assured India that trusted partners will not face abrupt denial of access to critical AI technologies, Indian IT secretary S Krishnan said on Thursday after discussions with US officials. The assurance came during the 2nd Pax Silica Summit in Washington, D.C.
US Assurance on AI Access
Krishnan stated that the Indian delegation sought clarity on how the US intends to regulate access to advanced AI models and ensure continuity of supply as countries increasingly integrate such technologies into their public services and digital infrastructure. He emphasized the need for reliability, saying:
"We sought an understanding of how exactly the US is looking at this issue and how, in the future, this could be a reliable source of technology because if it is something that is to be used and made available, we can't have abrupt cutoffs."
According to Krishnan, the Indian delegation was given an understanding of the US approach and assurances that access to technology would not be an issue for trusted partners going forward.
Background: US Restrictions on Anthropic
The discussions come weeks after the US commerce department directed AI firm Anthropic to restrict foreign nationals from accessing some of its latest AI models. This directive triggered concerns globally over the reliability of access to frontier technologies, prompting India to seek formal assurances.
India's Concerns and Engagement
Krishnan said the talks also focused on the evolution of the AI ecosystem, the respective roles India and the US can play, and opportunities to deepen cooperation in the technology sector. Both sides recognised that no single country can build the entire AI ecosystem on its own and that greater international collaboration would be essential.
Way Forward: Collaboration and Supply Chains
Discussions covered the need to create resilient and diversified technology supply chains to reduce dependence on any single geography. Krishnan noted: "There was a recognition that India needs to play a much bigger role in the global supply chain."
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | US Position | India's Concern |
|---|---|---|
| AI technology access | Assured for trusted partners, no abrupt cutoff | Need for continuity and reliability |
| Regulation | Clarifying approach | Seek understanding of rules |
| Supply chains | Diversified and resilient | India to play bigger role |
This development provides assurance to trade compliance officers and export control managers that the US intends to maintain open access for trusted partners, though the specific regulatory framework remains under discussion. The emphasis on diversified supply chains signals potential opportunities for Indian companies to integrate more deeply into the global AI ecosystem, while compliance professionals should monitor further clarifications on the US approach to AI technology transfers.
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