National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan participated in the annual meeting of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (ICET) between India and the United States on Monday.

Delegation-level talks took place in the national capital as India and the United States convened their second Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (ICET) meeting. The discussions are scheduled over two days, spanning June 17 and 18. The inaugural meeting was held in the United States in January last year.

In May 2022, US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly announced the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (ICET). The initiative aims to enhance and broaden the bilateral strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of both nations.

The United States and India underscored their commitment to shaping the design, development, governance, and use of technology based on their shared democratic values and respect for universal human rights.

Jake Sullivan, accompanied by Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and other senior officials, arrived in New Delhi for his first visit as a senior US official since the beginning of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term in office. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting earlier with Sullivan to discuss a wide range of bilateral, regional, and global issues.

During their discussions, Jaishankar expressed optimism about the robust advancement of the strategic partnership between India and the US in the coming years. He highlighted the comprehensive nature of their talks, which encompassed various facets of mutual interest and cooperation.

In a statement posted on X, Jaishankar welcomed Jake Sullivan to New Delhi and emphasised the depth of their deliberations on key bilateral, regional, and global matters. He expressed confidence that the strategic alliance between India and the US would strengthen further under their respective leaderships.

Jake Sullivan is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit, underscoring the importance of the bilateral relationship between the two countries. This visit is part of ongoing efforts to deepen ties and enhance cooperation in critical areas, including technology, defence, and global governance.

Image source: ANI