Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor, is scheduled to pay a visit to India next week for high-level discussions with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval. The primary focus of the talks will be cooperation under the initiative on critical and emerging technology (iCET). This meeting holds particular significance as it will mark the first major engagement between the two countries since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commencement of his third term.
The upcoming meeting follows a joint statement issued by India and the US on 22 June 2023, where both President Biden and Prime Minister Modi emphasized the vital role of technology in strengthening their partnership. The initiation of the Initiative on iCET in January 2023 was commended, signifying a pivotal moment in India-US relations. The leaders urged their governments, businesses, and academic institutions to work towards a shared vision for a strategic technology partnership. Additionally, they reaffirmed their commitment to promoting an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem based on mutual confidence and trust, as well as shared values and democratic institutions.
In a joint statement on 8 September 2023, ongoing efforts through the India-US Initiative on iCET were highlighted, focusing on building open, accessible, secure, and resilient technology ecosystems and value chains. Both leaders confirmed the crucial role of technology and expressed their intention to conduct a midterm review of iCET in September 2023.
The iCET, launched in May 2022, aims to enhance the strategic technology partnership between India and the US, with a focus on co-production, co-development, and defence industrial cooperation. The forthcoming meeting is intended to address regulatory concerns and facilitate deeper cooperation for smooth technology transfer to build strategic assets, including jet engines for HAL-built fighter jets.
Despite this optimistic agenda, the recent incident involving Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who was allegedly targeted in an assassination attempt orchestrated by India, has cast a shadow over the meeting. While this incident may cause tensions, it is not expected to significantly hinder bilateral ties or strategic cooperation. Pannun’s US and Canadian citizenship further complicates the matter, alongside Canada’s handling of Khalistani extremism.
Notwithstanding these diplomatic concerns, the talks between Jake Sullivan and Ajit Doval present an opportunity to strengthen technology cooperation between India and the US. The focus will be on fostering mutual confidence and trust, reinforcing shared values and democratic institutions, and building a resilient technology ecosystem.
As both countries navigate through these discussions, it is essential to acknowledge the importance of technology in shaping their strategic partnership and promoting global innovation. The forthcoming meeting provides an opportunity for India and the US to further align their technological capabilities and establish a solid foundation for future collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.