Why in the news?

  • Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced the new trilateral partnership between India, Canada and Australia on the side-lines of the G-20 summit in Johannesburg.

Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership

  • What is it?: It is a trilateral collaboration framework launched in 2024–25 to strengthen cooperation in emerging technologies, research, innovation ecosystems, and commercialisation pathways among the three Indo-Pacific democracies.
  • Objectives:
    • Strengthen Emerging Technology Collaboration through Joint research and development and Technology co-creation and co-innovation.
    • Build Secure & Trusted Tech Ecosystems to promote secure supply chains and ensure data protection, cyber resilience, and interoperability.
    • Support Startups & Innovation including access to innovation funding and market entry support across the three countries
    • Advance Indo-Pacific Tech Leadership.
  • Cooperation areas- Themes:
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI): Responsible AI frameworks and AI safety, governance, and regulatory collaboration.
    • Quantum Technologies: Quantum computing, Quantum communication and Quantum-safe encryption.
    • Biotechnology & Life Sciences: Genomics, health tech, biosecurity, vaccine R&D and clinical trial cooperation.
    • Critical Minerals & Clean Tech: Joint research on Battery technologies, Grid storage and Hydrogen technologies as well as Collaboration on critical mineral value chains.
    • Cybersecurity: Cyber standards, certification frameworks and Incident response cooperation.
    • Space Technology: Satellite-based services, Space sustainability norms and Commercial space collaboration.
  • Significance for India:
    • Supplements India’s Tech Diplomacy such as the Quad Critical and Emerging Technologies framework and India–Australia & India–Canada bilateral S&T agreements
    • Boost to Critical Mineral Security through collaboration with Canada and Australia who are top global suppliers.
    • Startup Ecosystem Benefits as the ACITI creates new markets and funding networks.
    • Strengthening Indo-Pacific Strategy by enhancing India’s role as a technology and innovation hub in the region.
    • Supports “Atmanirbhar Bharat” & “Viksit Bharat 2047 through deep-tech collaborations with Canada and Australia.

Source: The Hindu