India and United States have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent for cooperation in the field of Information & Communications Technology and Electronics (ICTE). The Joint Declaration was signed by the Secretary, Department of Electronics and IT Shri RS Sharma, and the US Ambassador to India Shri Richard Verma, at a ceremony held in New Delhi this evening.

Speaking to news persons, the Secretary, Department of Electronics and IT said that this is likely increase partnership for the ‘Digital India’ programme, electronic manufacturing, cyber security and several other such related fields between two countries. The US ambassador expressing happiness hoped that this declaration before the arrival of the US president on Sunday would further strengthen cooperation between industries of both the countries in the sector.  Shri Ram Sevak Sharma said that at the Indo US Joint working Group meeting on ICT held at Washington last week several US companies has expressed interest for their participation in India. 

This Joint Declaration of intent made for a period of next five years would help in strengthening industrial, technological, research & innovation and economic cooperation between India and U.S. in the ICTE sector. It would also lead to US companies exploring opportunities for collaboration in India’s ambitious Digital India programme, Electronics manufacturing and Human Resource Development, through cooperation among private and public entities in a focused manner under the umbrella of the ongoing India-US ICT Dialogue.

On this occasion, reference was made to the deliberations at India US ICT Working Group meeting held in Washington, D.C., during January 14-15, 2015. It was agreed at this meeting to continue to explore the opportunities for collaboration on implementing India's ambitious Digital India initiative, with the goal of enhancing digital infrastructure, deploying e-governance and e-services, and expanding the diffusion and use of ICT as a tool to expand economic opportunities, boost productivity, create jobs, and empower citizens. Besides, broad agreement was also reached on the importance of policies that promote innovation in the ICT sector, facilitate the flow of data across borders, and foster the global and open nature of the Internet as a platform for economic growth.

Later speaking to news persons Shri R S Sharma said that VISA issue relating to Indian IT professionals should be treated as an issue relating to trade in services and not as an immigration issue.

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KSP/AK /Ak