US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan Visits India
Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor, arrived in New Delhi on 17 June 2024, for a crucial two-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and addressing key issues affecting India-US relations.
Mr Sullivan engaged in extensive discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, covering various topics including regional security, counterterrorism efforts, and economic cooperation. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the strategic partnership between the two nations.
He also met with NSA Ajit Doval to discuss security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. They explored ways to enhance defence collaboration, intelligence sharing, and joint military exercises.
The India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) took centre stage during Sullivan’s visit. The discussions included semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and space and telecommunications cooperation. They explored strategies to enhance semiconductor production and supply chains, promote responsible AI development, and collaborate on satellite technology and advanced communication systems.
India and the U.S. are currently in advanced discussions for the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, the local licensed manufacturing of General Electric GE-414 engines, and the Stryker infantry vehicles.
Regarding semiconductors, which is a priority area for both countries, it was reported that the initiation of a new strategic partnership between General Atomics and 3rdiTech. This collaboration aims to co-develop semiconductor design and manufacturing for “precision-guided ammunition and other national security-focused electronics platforms.”
Mr Sullivan also met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where they discussed broader strategic issues and the future direction of India-US relations. This meeting covered enhancing economic cooperation, strengthening defence ties, and collaborating on global challenges such as climate change and health security. “Met US NSA Jake Sullivan. India is committed to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership for global good,” Prime Minister Modi wrote on the social media platform ‘X’.
This high-level visit comes at a time when reports confirmed the extradition of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who is accused of being involved in a murder-for-hire plot against Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, from the Czech Republic to the US. Mr. Gupta, 52, was arrested in the Czech Republic last year at the request of the US government and is expected to appear before a federal court in New York.
India, facing significant pressure from the US and other countries, has launched a high-level investigation into the matter. When asked a few days ago by the accompanying White House press corps if President Biden would raise the issue with Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy, Mr Sullivan, without directly answering, indicated that the topic would continue to be discussed “at very senior levels.”