As the administration of Joe Biden approaches the conclusion of its four-year term, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is scheduled to travel to India next week. This visit occurs in the context of the United States preparing for a transition of power to the incoming Donald Trump administration.During his time in India, Sullivan is anticipated to engage in significant discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The agenda for these talks is expected to encompass a variety of subjects, including technology, security, and the overall state of bilateral relations. Recently, Jaishankar visited Washington, where he met with Sullivan and interacted with Congressman Michael Waltz, who is likely to play a role in the forthcoming Trump administration, marking the first high-level engagement between India and the future U.S. leadership.
A primary objective of Sullivan’s visit will be to reinforce the U.S.-India initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies, which was established by the Biden administration. This initiative, co-led by Doval and Sullivan, aims to address crucial sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and space technology. In light of China’s swift progress in these areas, India is eager to ensure that the U.S. remains committed to this initiative, particularly in terms of integrating India into the global supply chain framework.Moreover, Sullivan’s visit coincides with India’s ongoing concerns regarding serious allegations of an assassination plot involving Indian nationals in both the United States and Canada. The discussions during this visit may also encompass strategies to address these allegations and explore avenues for potential cooperation.
