Washington/New Delhi, Jan 17 (IANS) India and the US have agreed to strengthen collaboration between the two governments and the private sector in the field of information and communications technology (ICT) that would help in implementation of the 'Digital India' programme.
The meeting of the US-India ICT Working Group, which promotes development in the ICT sector for mutual benefit, was held in Washington Jan 14-15.
Ambassador Daniel A. Sepulveda, coordinator for international communications and information policy at the Department of State, and R.S. Sharma, secretary of the department of electronics and information technology under India's communications and information technology ministry, led the US and Indian delegations.
The participants agreed to continue discussion of policies that stimulate rapid diffusion and use of ICT products and services and facilitate cross border trade that reduces costs to consumers and businesses.
"In this context, the US side noted the Indian concerns with regard to mobility of skilled Indian professionals, and agreed that the US government will continue to engage on visa issues for skilled professionals. In addition, the Indian side noted the US concerns relating to equipment testing and certification, and agreed to engage on issues relating to equipment testing," an official statement said.
"The participants agreed 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 opportunity, boost productivity, create jobs, and empower citizens."
During the two-day meeting, US and Indian government representatives held extensive discussions on ICT and telecommunication policy issues, focusing on accelerating broadband deployment, aligning spectrum policy for the mobile era and exchanging views on internet governance and best practices in ICT and telecommunications regulatory policy.
They also discussed issues relating to the international mobility of Indian skilled professionals.
The joint government-and-industry discussions included panels on promoting manufacturing and investment, IT and telecom policy developments, internet governance, mobility of skilled professionals and other issues related to trade, investment, and the ease of doing business.
The US and India plan to hold the next US-India ICT Working Group in India later this year.
There was a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday during the discussion on the Constitution Amen
The real reason behind Nikki Payala's painful death was the conservative thinking and narrow mind
What caused the Indian banking sector to fall ill?
In a recent event of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the coun
One more dies of swine flu in Bengal, toll now 14
Kolkata, March 9 (IANS) One more swine flu death was reported in West Bengal since Sunday, taki
Can't Compensate for Zoo Mishap: Delhi Government to HC
New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) The Delhi government's forest department Wednesday expressed its inabi
People close to the absconding accused of the Sambhal riot are on the police radar. Police are tr
'India's Daughter' raised issues globally: US writer
Kolkata, March 16 (IANS) Batting for women's safety "anywhere, anytime", an American writer on
Chandy, cabinet colleague pacify Mohanlal
Kochi, Feb 7 (IANS) Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and his cabinet colleague T. Radhakrishnan vis
Kithore assembly constituency, which comes under Meerut-Hapur Lok Sabha seat, has always been in
UP Forest Corporation certified by international agency
Lucknow, March 14 (IANS) International agency FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) has granted cert
