U.S. and China Renew S&T Agreement

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• China and the U.S. agreed to extend their Agreement on Co-operation in Science and Technology for an additional five years.

About

• The Agreement was first signed in 1979.
  • Since then, the Agreement has been renewed every five years. 
• The U.S. and China each appoint co-chairs and an agency from each country is nominated as the ‘executive agent’. 
• There are also additional protocols between agencies and 40 sub-agreements in different areas, from agriculture to nuclear fusion.
• The renewed Agreement includes provisions to enhance researcher safety and data reciprocity, and restricts cooperation to basic research and intergovernmental levels

Significance of Bilateral Science and Technology Agreements 

• They pave the way for forms of cooperation that aren’t confined to state institutions. 
• They also facilitate joint research, mobility between the countries for students and scientists, encourage institutional cooperation, and set up bilateral research centers.
  • India has such agreements with 83 countries.

What Does the Renewed Agreement between China and USA Mean?

• Before the Agreement was renewed this year, the U.S. was faced with three options:
  • to renew it as usual for five years, 
  • to rescind it or 
  • to renew it with new measures to restrict the scope and add additional conditions. 
  • The U.S. opted for the third, while there are deep concerns about the Agreement’s continued usefulness to the U.S..
• Basic Research: It will be confined to the intergovernmental level, to basic research, and to previously identified themes of mutual benefit. 
• Exclusion: The agreement explicitly excludes work related to developing critical and emerging technologies and includes new guardrails for implementing agencies to protect the safety and security of their researchers.
  • China won’t extract disproportionate benefits, allegedly at the U.S.’s expense.

Implications of U.S.-China S&T Agreement Renewal and India’s Stakes in USA and China Relations:

• Increased Global Competition: India faces increased R&D competition with China rapidly advancing in technology and innovation, posing challenges in AI, 5G, and quantum computing.
• Strategic Collaboration: India’s future growth in fields like space research, IT, and pharmaceuticals will depend on deepening technological and research partnerships with developed countries.
• Stronger Bilateral Agreements: India should enhance its bilateral S&T agreements with other countries, focusing on the U.S., Japan, and European nations, to ensure competitiveness.
• Geopolitical Opportunities: Tensions between China and the USA may provide India with opportunities to strengthen its strategic position, particularly through alliances like the Quad, as India aligns with the USA and its allies in countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.
• Trade and Economic Risks: As both China and the USA are major trading partners, deteriorating relations between them can disrupt global trade, potentially affecting India’s economy.
  • India’s trade with both nations might be influenced by tariffs, sanctions, or supply chain disruptions.
• Security Concerns: Growing USA-China tensions could lead to increased military activity and competition in the Indo-Pacific, which heighten security concerns for India, particularly along its border with China.

Conclusion and Way Forward 

• The Agreement catalysed China’s rise from a junior partner in 1979 to a formidable global competitor in science and technology.
• While Trump’s administration might scrutinise the Agreement more closely, it recognises the importance of maintaining cooperation with China.
• The renewal of the U.S.-China S&T Agreement highlights the need for India to strengthen its R&D capabilities and international collaborations to ensure competitiveness and maintain its standing in the global technological landscape.
• India needs to navigate tensions between these two giants while leveraging trade and investment opportunities.
• India aims to maintain its strategic autonomy, avoiding forced alignment with either the USA or China, while balancing security partnerships with the USA and economic ties with China.
• India should enhance its global influence in science and technology to ensure its contributions are recognized and keep pace with technological advancements.

Source: TH