US Consul General in Mumbai, Mike Hankey, on Friday emphasized the potential for diverse partnerships between the United States and India, particularly in the fields of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and green energy. Speaking to reporters during his visit to Goa, Hankey highlighted the importance of creating a resilient supply chain for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, noting the current over-reliance on China for these critical supplies.

During his visit, Hankey met with various stakeholders, including industry experts from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). He expressed his excitement about the opportunities for collaboration, particularly in electronics manufacturing and green energy solutions, both of which are central to the clean energy transition.

“I see some opportunities for collaboration between counterparts doing advanced work on both the US and Indian sides in electronics manufacturing and in green energy manufacturing cutting-edge solutions,” Hankey said. He emphasized the mutual exchange of technology and business connections that could drive innovation in these sectors.

Hankey pointed out that the US is already making significant strides in clean energy, with experts working on similar challenges as their Indian counterparts. “There’s a two-way flow of information and expertise,” he stated, underscoring the importance of collaboration between businesses and researchers from both nations.

Reflecting on his visit to Goa, Hankey was impressed by the state’s potential and the opportunities for learning from global experiences. He also highlighted the need for businesses to collaborate with academic research to address challenges in emerging technologies like EVs.

“Electric vehicles right now rely on lithium-ion technology, which has both physical and supply chain limitations. The supply chain is reliant on one country, China, and no supply chain will be strong if it’s reliant on a single point of failure,” he said.

To address these issues, Hankey stressed the need for closer cooperation between businesses and researchers to find alternative solutions, ensuring a more resilient supply chain. The US, he added, has national laboratories and is already in discussions with Indian counterparts to explore potential solutions.

Hankey also identified opportunities in western India, particularly in the two-wheeler and three-wheeler industries, which present unique avenues for collaboration. “Both our countries are so diverse, and that’s the beauty of it—we can forge many different types of partnerships,” he said.