India and the United States have signed a Statement of Guiding Principles on Triangular Cooperation for Global Development. The document was signed by Kumar Tuhin, Joint Secretary at India's Ministry of External Affairs, and John A. Beed, Mission Director for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in India.
This agreement follows the fifth U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, which emphasized the role of their partnership in promoting regional and global stability and prosperity. It aims to provide a framework for enhancing cooperation to tackle development challenges in Asia and Africa while bolstering connectivity within Asia.
Both nations have agreed to continue utilizing science, technology, and innovation to address common challenges across various sectors such as agriculture, nutrition, health, clean and renewable energy, women's empowerment, disaster preparedness, water sanitation, and education.
The agreement reflects a joint commitment to collaborate by leveraging their combined capabilities to deliver demand-driven cooperation led by third countries. India and the U.S. plan to work closely with third-country partners to strengthen institutions and build capacity. Initial efforts will include ongoing training for African government officials, private sector leaders, and academic professionals in food processing as well as expanding initiatives focused on women's empowerment. Public-private partnerships may also be formed to support government-led initiatives and enhance overall impact.