US NSA Jake Sullivan and EAM Dr S. Jaishankar has discussed the preparations for the upcoming visit of PM Modi and global strategic developments from the perspective of the India-US partnership…reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Thursday, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ensuing US visit.
The minister discussed the preparations for the upcoming visit of PM Modi and global strategic developments from the perspective of the India-US partnership.
Following their meeting, Jaishankar tweeted, “Great to meet US NSA @jakesullivan46 in South Block today morning. Our conversation focused on preparing for PM @narendramodi’s upcoming US visit. Also discussed global strategic developments from the perspective of our partnership.”
A day ago, he met Prime Minister Modi and conveyed President Joe Biden’s message that he looked forward to welcoming him on his forthcoming state visit scheduled from June 21-25.
During the meeting, the two leaders also reviewed progress under the India-US Initiative on Critical & Emerging Technologies (iCET).
After the meeting, a tweet by Prime Minister Modi said, “Glad to receive US National Security Advisor @JakeSullivan46. Reviewed progress under India-US Initiative on Critical & Emerging Technologies (iCET) and other issues of bilateral cooperation. Look forward to meeting @POTUS @JoeBiden during my upcoming State Visit to the US.”
Sullivan is on an official visit to New Delhi from June 13-14, at the invitation of Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The two officials have frequently had in-depth meetings on a wide range of bilateral, regional, and international issues. A delegation of senior US government officials and leaders of the US industry accompanied Sullivan.
NSA Sullivan met his Indian counterpart Doval yesterday and held restricted discussions on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Later, they both attended the second Track 1.5 discourse hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
The first edition of this dialogue was organised by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC on January 30 this year, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Addressing the gathering in Delhi, Sullivan said that US President Joe Biden was thrilled to see what is happening here and to watch how things unfold.
“As we look ahead to the State visit that PM Modi will be embarking upon in Washington next week, a number of the deliverables at that visit are not just bullet points on a page, they are fundamentally designed to remove obstacles in defence and high-tech trades and in taking away obstacles that have stood in the way of better collaboration among our scientists and researchers,” Sullivan said.
Drone deal with US
Ahead of PM Modi’s visit to the United States, India’s Defence Ministry is going to discuss the acquisition of MQ-9 Reaper drones from the US.
The acquisition of these drones is scheduled to come up for discussion during an important high-level meeting of the defence ministry on Thursday, defence sources told ANI. Earlier the plan was to rationalise the acquisition of these drones and reduce their numbers from 30 to 18 or less, they said.
However, now India is expected to go ahead with the original plan of acquisition of 30 drones including 10 each for all three services, the sources said.
The Indian Navy is the lead service for the acquisition of these drones and has been pursuing the case thoroughly.
The three services also have plans of going in for similar types of medium altitude and long endurance drones from indigenous sources.
PM Narendra Modi during his visit will also become the first Indian PM to address the Joint Meeting of the US Congress for the second time. His first address to Congress was in 2016, becoming the sixth Indian Prime Minister to do so jointly or separately.
Indian Americans said the invitation sent to Prime Minister to address the US Congress serves as a reminder of the historic significance of the relationship between the US and India, reflecting the shared dream and commitment to global peace and prosperity, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
During his visit, the Prime Minister will attend at a state dinner at the White House which is being accorded to an Indian leader after 14 years. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the last, hosted by then US President Barack Obama in 2009.