NSA Ajit Doval, US Secretary Antony Blinken Discuss India-US Strategic Ties

GG News Bureau

Washington, 2nd Feb. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during which they discussed deepening the bilateral strategic partnership and exchanged views on a wide range of global and regional issues. Blinken met Doval on Wednesday after returning from a trip to the Middle East that included stops in Israel and Egypt.

“The United States is expanding cooperation with India to address global challenges,” Blinken tweeted after the meeting.

“I had a good meeting with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval today to discuss deepening our strategic partnership,” Blinken tweeted.

“Both sides exchanged views on a wide range of global and regional issues of mutual interest and how to further strengthen the #India- US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” the Indian Embassy here said in a tweet.

Doval is leading a high-level delegation to the United States. On Tuesday, he also met with his American counterpart, Jake Sullivan.

During their meeting, India and the United States strengthened their strategic partnership by launching the Critical and Emerging Technology Initiative, or iCET.

The discussions held during Doval’s visit form the foundation for intensifying India-US cooperation in cutting-edge sectors and truly reflect the maturity of a comprehensive and global strategic partnership, according to a statement issued by the Indian embassy on Tuesday.

Doval and Sullivan co-chaired the first iCET meeting at the White House on Tuesday, putting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s and President Joe Biden’s announcement in Tokyo in May 2022 into action.

“iCET aims to position the two countries as trusted technology partners by building technology value chains and supporting the co-development and co-production of items. It also aims to address regulatory restrictions, export controls and mobility barriers through a standing mechanism,” the embassy said.

During the meeting, the US side also expressed support for lowering export barriers to India in a few key areas, including legislative changes.

According to the statement, the emphasis was on strengthening links between startup ecosystems and building innovation bridges in key sectors between the two countries through expos, hackathons, and pitching sessions.