The White House highlighted the unique bond of friendship between India and the US, the world’s two largest and oldest democracies, during a press conference on Monday. The statement was made in the context of US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s visit to India.
Jake Sullivan is in Delhi from June 17 to 18, marking the first visit by a top President Biden administration official since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government secured a historic third term. White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby emphasized that Sullivan’s trip aims to further deepen the already strong US-India partnership, contributing to a safer and more prosperous Indo-Pacific.
“As the world’s two oldest and largest democracies, the United States and India share a unique bond of friendship, and Sullivan’s trip will further deepen the already strong US-India partnership to create a safer and more prosperous Indo-Pacific,” John Kirby stated.
During his visit, Jake Sullivan co-chaired the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in Delhi. This partnership aims to expand strategic cooperation across key technology sectors, including space, semiconductors, advanced telecommunications, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, and clean energy.
On Monday, Jake Sullivan met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval, who was recently reappointed for a third term. Prime Minister Modi tweeted about the meeting, expressing India’s commitment to strengthening the comprehensive global strategic partnership between India and the US.
“Met US National Security Advisor @JakeSullivan46. India is committed to further strengthen the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership for the global good,” Modi tweeted.
When questioned about Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of involvement in a murder-for-hire plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, John Kirby did not provide additional comments. Nikhil Gupta, recently extradited from the Czech Republic, pleaded not guilty in a federal court in New York on Monday.
“I don’t have more to add to the conversations that Jake’s having. He’s still over there having these conversations. But the main focus of his visit, as I said, was to look for ways to deepen the US-India bilateral relationship, particularly when it comes to emerging technology,” John Kirby said.
India has announced a high-level inquiry into the evidence provided by the US regarding the alleged plot to kill Pannun, the chief of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) outfit.
