US Commerce Dept’s ITA delegation visits Bengaluru to strengthen AI partnership

The delegation from the International Trade Administration (ITA) of the US Department of Commerce, led by the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, William Kimmitt, visited Bengaluru, interacting with American and Indian tech companies.

This is the first segment of the visit to India ahead of the Department of Commerce’s participation in the 2026 India AI Impact Summit, and the delegation was keen to understand how these tech companies were investing in AI, operationalising AI in their business models, and creating US-India tech partnership opportunities. The delegation visits on February 17 included Chevron Engine, Google DeepMind, South Park Commons, and Biocon.

“It is a privilege to visit the heart of tech innovation in Bangalore at such a critical juncture for the US.-India relationship,” said Under Secretary William Kimmitt.

“The new, historic trade agreement between the US and India will cement our bilateral relationship for decades to come and promote the adoption of cutting-edge U.S. technologies in the Indian market. The United States welcomes India’s participation in the American AI Exports Program, and we look forward to working with trusted partners to power a new age of prosperity and security with American AI leadership,” Kimmitt said

In addition to industry meetings, Under Secretary Kimmitt, alongside Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command, joined the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum for a roundtable focused on US-India defence cooperation in emerging technology. The discussion included advancing the objectives of the new US-India trade deal, promoting US AI and tech exports, and strengthening US industrial capacity to support U.S. and allied security.

The US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration is implementing a full-stack AI export package promotion strategy to advance America’s AI leadership globally. The American AI Exports Programme includes an upcoming public call for proposals from industry-led consortia to export full-stack AI technology packages. These all-in-one AI export packages will include AI-optimised computer hardware, data centre storage, models, cybersecurity measures, and applications for various sectors.

Following the visit to Bengaluru, Under Secretary Kimmitt and the delegation will participate in the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where they will highlight the new American AI Exports Programme.