US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jacob Helberg has declared that India is the only country on Earth that fundamentally rivals China in the depth of its engineering workforce and talent pool. Speaking at the IX USISPF Leadership Summit 2026 in Washington DC, Helberg emphasized that India's massive technical talent base and nascent technology ecosystem make it an indispensable partner for the United States in the global race for technology dominance.
India's Unique Position in Global Engineering Talent
Helberg stated, "India obviously is the only country on earth that fundamentally rivals China with respect to the depth of its engineering workforce and talent pool. It has a true nascent technology ecosystem and is making some pretty incredible contributions at the application layer, which we think is absolutely essential for technology diffusion." He noted that India's booming population, vast engineering pool, and rapid economic growth position it as a prime market for creating cutting-edge services.
Shared Developer Ecosystem as Foundation
The Under Secretary stressed that fostering a shared developer ecosystem with India is central to the bilateral collaboration. "That is why we want to foster a 'developer ecosystem' with India—a shared developer ecosystem—and we recognise that this truly forms the foundation of our multifaceted collaboration with them," he remarked.
India's Commitment to Artificial Intelligence
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the summit, Helberg reaffirmed that India is totally committed to the future of artificial intelligence. "The big takeaway is India is totally committed to the future. It has one of the world's deepest engineering workforces in the world. And we are completely in lockstep when it comes to building an AI developer ecosystem that is positive-sum and complementary. And we're very excited to work with our Indian counterpart on that," he said.
High-Tech Discussions and Fast-Track Mechanism
Helberg hinted at ongoing sensitive high-tech discussions involving leading American AI labs like Anthropic, though specific details remain under wraps. He mentioned a new administrative fast-track mechanism: "Those conversations are still unfolding. I'm sure you followed the news over the weekend that the Commerce Department recently rolled out a trusted partner program, and so we're continuing that process."
Direct Engagement with Indian Officials
Helberg recently met with India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary S Krishnan to map out localised investment infrastructure. In a post on X, he wrote: "Met with IT Secretary S. Krishnan to discuss strengthening technology cooperation and unlocking new opportunities for shared growth between the United States and India in the global AI economy, because American companies are ready to build, invest, and innovate in India."
Structural Foundations Laid Earlier This Year
This diplomatic momentum follows structural foundations laid during the AI Impact Summit earlier in 2026, cementing a shared trajectory where the US and India view each other's tech sectors as complementary assets rather than competitors.
