In what will be the first high-level engagement between India and the United States since Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his third term, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is expected to visit India next week. He will meet with his counterpart, Ajit Doval, to conduct a comprehensive review of cooperation under the initiative on critical and emerging technology (iCET).
According to a report by the Times of India, Sullivan is likely to meet Indian officials on June 18.
Why is this meeting important?
In a joint statement issued by India and the US on 22 June 2023, it was conveyed that President Biden and Prime Minister Modi had affirmed the defining role of technology in deepening their partnership. The leaders had praised the inauguration of the Initiative on iCET in January 2023 as a significant milestone in India-US relations. They had urged their governments, businesses and academic institutions to realize their shared vision for a strategic technology partnership. The statement had also mentioned the leaders’ recommitment to fostering an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem based on mutual confidence and trust, reinforcing shared values and democratic institutions.
Another joint statement on 8 September 2023 indicated that Prime Minister Modi and President Biden had reaffirmed the defining role of technology in deepening their strategic partnership. They had lauded ongoing efforts through the India-US Initiative on iCET to build open, accessible, secure and resilient technology ecosystems and value chains, based on mutual confidence and trust, which reinforce shared values and democratic institutions. It was mentioned that the India and US intended to undertake a midterm review of iCET in September 2023 to maintain momentum toward the next annual iCET review, co-led by the National Security Advisors of both countries, in early 2024.
The iCET was launched in May 2022 to expand the strategic technology partnership, focusing on co-production, co-development and defence industrial cooperation between India and the US.
The purpose of the meeting was reported to be the creation of a conducive environment and the removal of bottlenecks by addressing regulatory concerns, ensuring deeper cooperation for smooth technology transfer to build strategic assets including jet engines for HAL-built fighter jets.
Pannun episode: A thorn in ties?
Apart from the anticipated iCET review, the meeting is significant as it marks the first high-level engagement following the assassination attempt on Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, allegedly orchestrated by India, as previously reported by The Washington Post. While both sides are expected to proceed cautiously, the Pannun incident is likely to cause some discomfort. Though it is unlikely to majorly hinder bilateral ties or affect cooperation in strategic areas, the matter will undoubtedly cause unease until fully resolved. The situation is further complicated by Pannun’s US and Canadian citizenship, alongside Canada’s diplomatic issues stemming from the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Despite being a Canadian citizen, Nijjar was a recognised terrorist and Ottawa’s response has been to ignore this fact, given its accommodation of thousands of Khalistani extremists forming a substantial vote bank.
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Jake Sullivan to visit India for talks on technology cooperation amid mild diplomatic concerns
