New Delhi:

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held a phone conversation on Friday with his American counterpart Jake Sullivan amid some indication of unease in India-US ties following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Mr Doval and Sullivan reiterated the need to work “collectively” to address global challenges to peace and security and further expand the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

It said the two national security advisors agreed to work closely to further advance India-US relations, which are “built on shared values and common strategic and security interests”.

“They discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral, regional and international concern and forthcoming high-level engagements under the Quad framework to be held in July 2024 and later in the year,” the MEA said in a statement.

The phone conversation between the NSAs came a day after US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti appeared to be critical of India’s ties with Russia.

Garcetti, speaking at an event in Delhi on Thursday, said India and the US must uphold democratic principles when other countries go against the rules-based order.

“I know…and I respect that India likes its strategic autonomy. But in times of conflict, there is no such thing as strategic autonomy. We will, in crisis moments, need to know each other. I don’t care what title we put to it, but we will need to know that we are trusted friends, brothers and sisters, colleagues,” Garcetti said without making any reference to Prime Minister Modi’s trip to Moscow this week.

In an apparent reference to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the US envoy said “no war is distant anymore”.

“No war is distant anymore and we must not just stand for peace, we must take concrete actions to make sure those who don’t play by peaceful rules, that their war machines cannot continue unabated,” he said.

Garcetti also underlined the importance of maintaining the sanctity of borders.

“I don’t have to remind India how important borders are..That when we stand on those principles and stand together, we can show that principles are the guiding light of peace in our world and together the world’s two largest democracies can enhance the security and the stability of our region,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NASA chief Bill Nelson.
| Photo Credit: AP

NASA administrator Bill Nelson has said that the U.S. space agency will expand collaboration with India and it will include a “joint effort” aboard the International Space Station with an Indian astronaut.

Mr. Nelson’s comments came after a fact sheet issued by the U.S. and India after the iCET Dialogue between U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on June 17 said they were working toward commencing advanced training for ISRO astronauts in the U.S.

“Building on my visit to India last year, NASA continues to further the United States and India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology for the benefit of humanity. Together we are expanding our countries’ collaboration in space, to include a joint effort aboard the International Space Station with an ISRO astronaut,” Mr. Nelson, wrote on X on June 19.

“While specific details about the mission are still in work, these efforts will support future human spaceflight and improve life here on Earth,” Mr. Nelson said.

In New Delhi, Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Doval on June 17 said they concluded the Strategic Framework for Human Spaceflight Cooperation to deepen interoperability in space and are working toward commencing advanced training for ISRO astronauts at the NASA Johnson Space Centre.

The two leaders exchanged views on securing a carrier for the first-ever joint effort between NASA and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) astronauts at the International Space Station, which will mark a significant milestone in the India-U.S. space partnership and space exploration.

They also noted that the space agencies of the two countries are preparing for the launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, a jointly developed satellite that will map the entirety of the Earth’s surface twice every 12 days as part of efforts to combat climate change and other global challenges together.

The meeting between Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Doval also concluded that India and the U.S. must remain at the forefront of developing critical technologies as part of a larger strategic interest.

Mr. Doval and his counterpart also unveiled a raft of transformative initiatives to deepen India-U.S. cooperation in areas of artificial intelligence, semiconductor, critical minerals, advanced telecommunication and defence space.

The iCET was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden in May 2022 to forge greater collaboration between India and the U.S. in areas of critical technologies.

Mr. Sullivan visited Delhi from June 17 to 18, the first trip to India by a senior Biden Administration official after the Modi government came to power for the third term.

The U.S. National Security Adviser was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior U.S. government officials and industry leaders.

New Delhi:

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan on Monday attended the annual meeting of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) between the two countries.

The delegation-level talks were held in the national capital. This is the second iCET meeting between the two countries and is being held over two days on June 17 and 18. The first meeting was held in the United States in January last year.

US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in May 2022 to elevate and expand the bilateral strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of the two countries.

The United States and India had affirmed that the ways in which technology is designed, developed, governed, and used should be shaped by “our shared democratic values and respect for universal human rights”.

The two countries also said that they are committed to fostering an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem, “based on mutual trust and confidence, that will reinforce our democratic values and democratic institutions”.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with Jake Sullivan and discussed bilateral, regional and global issues.

Mr Jaishankar expressed confidence that the strategic partnership between India and the US will continue to advance strongly in the near term.

“Delighted to welcome US NSA Jake Sullivan in New Delhi today morning. A comprehensive discussion on a broad range of bilateral, regional and global issues. Confident that India-US strategic partnership will continue to advance strongly in our new term,” Mr Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Delighted to welcome US NSA @JakeSullivan46 in New Delhi today morning.

A comprehensive discussion on a broad range of bilateral, regional and global issues.

Confident that India-US strategic partnership will continue to advance strongly in our new term.

pic.twitter.com/daqbE466bF

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 17, 2024

Jake Sullivan, who is in India along with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and other top officials, will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It is the first visit of a senior US official after the Modi government came to power for a third term.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and U.S. NSA Jake Sullivan during a meeting, in New Delhi, on June 17, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his U.S. counterpart Jake Sullivan, who is on a two-day visit, on June 17 underscored the vital importance of adapting each other’s technology protection toolkits and resolved to prevent the “leakage” of sensitive and dual-use technologies to countries of “concern” as they chaired the second meeting of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

Mr. Sullivan arrived just hours after reports confirmed that Nikhil Gupta was extradited to the U.S., and while neither side confirmed the Pannun case was discussed, it was expected to be high on the agenda.

During the second iCET meeting, the two NSAs set the vision for the next chapter of our strategic technology partnership, according to a joint fact sheet issued after the dialogue. “They underscored their commitment to orienting our cooperation around breakthrough achievements in priority critical and emerging technology areas, by focusing our efforts on co-production, co-development, and research and development opportunities to ensure we stay at the leading edge of innovation and enhancing coordination with like-minded nations to deliver secure, reliable, and cost-competitive technology solutions for the Indian and American people and our partners around the world.”

Mr. Sullivan also held talks with External Affairs minister S. Jaishaknar and later called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Met US NSA Jake Sullivan. India is committed to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership for global good,” Mr. Modi said on social media ‘X’.

On June 18, both the NSAs are scheduled to address the India- US iCET roundtable with Industry heads organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry. Mr. Sullivan’s India visit for the dialogue was cancelled twice earlier due to geopolitical developments.

India and the U.S. are currently in advanced stages of talks for purchase of 31 MQ-9B Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, local licensed manufacture of the General Electric GE-414 engines as well the Stryker infantry vehicles. “Welcoming the discussions on India’s planned acquisition of the MQ-9B platforms, the possible co-production of land warfare systems, and progress on other co-production initiatives outlined in the India-U.S. Roadmap for Defense Industrial Cooperation,” the fact sheet said in this regard.

On semiconductors, a priority area for both countries, the fact sheet announced the launching of a new strategic semiconductor partnership between General Atomics and 3rdiTech to co-develop semiconductor design and manufacturing for “precision-guided ammunition and other national security-focused electronics platforms.”

The fact sheet also outlined several steps both countries envisage to take in the new and emerging areas in the near future which in a large way would also address dependencies on China. For instance, on rare-earth minerals it outlined, “Promoting India’s vital role in the Mineral Security Partnership, including through co-investing in a lithium resource project in South America and a rare earths deposit in Africa, to responsibly and sustainably diversify critical mineral supply chains.”

The ambitious iCET was announced by Mr. Modi and U.S. President Joseph Biden on the side lines of the Quad Summit in Tokyo in May 2022 and was launched by the NSAs in January 2023 comprising key technology sectors including space, semiconductors, advanced telecommunications, artificial intelligence, quantum, biotechnology, and clean energy. Subsequently, new areas were included including biotechnology, critical minerals and rare earths processing technologies, digital connectivity and digital public infrastructure and advanced materials.

Pannun investigation

Mr. Sullivan’s India visit began just hours after reports confirmed the extradition of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who is accused of being involved in murder-for-hire plot against Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, from Czech Republic to the US. Mr. Gupta, 52, was arrested in the Czeck Republic last year at the request of the US government. He is expected to be produced before a federal court in New York on Monday.

India, which has come under intense pressure from the US and other countries, has instituted a high-level probe into the matter. To questions few days back from the accompanying White House press corps if the issue would be raised by Mr. Biden with Mr. Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy, Mr. Sullivan without giving a direct response said the topic would continue to be discussed “at very senior levels”.

New Delhi:

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met with his United Kingdom counterpart, Tim Barrow, on Thursday for the India-UK Strategic Dialogue.

During this meeting, the two top sides held discussions on the “Technology and Security Initiative, which will be a major bilateral mechanism to strengthen cooperation in critical and emerging technologies between the two countries”, government officials said.

They also discussed bilateral issues and regional and global matters of mutual interest.

“This visit will strengthen and further broaden the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries,” said government officials.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with NSA Tim Barrow in Delhi and discussed regional and global issues of importance. Jaishankar and Barrow reviewed the progress in bilateral ties.

In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, “Good to meet UK NSA Tim Barrow today in Delhi. Discussed a range of regional and global issues of importance. Also reviewed the progress in our bilateral ties.”

On May 7, a 21-member delegation of the Royal College of Defence Studies began their India visit by laying a wreath to pay their homage at the war memorial in New Delhi.

The Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) is a British military staff college that trains senior officers from the British Armed Forces, Civil Service, and Diplomatic Service in international security and national defence.

The college’s goal is to develop strategic thinkers and leaders who can work at the strategic level in a cross-government and international environment.

The delegation of the UK-based academy is on an India visit and will be travelling across the country as part of their study tour.

Sharing details regarding the visit, UK Defence Adviser in India, Brigadier Nick Sawyer stated, “A delegation of the Royal College of Defence Studies today began their India visit by visiting the @salute2soldier in New Delhi and laying a wreath to pay their homage to the fallen soldiers. The 21-member cohort will be travelling across the country as part of their study tour.”

Notably, the ties between India and the UK are bound by strong ties of history and culture, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK’s then-PM Boris Johnson agreed to the India-UK ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ and India-UK Roadmap 2030 to steer cooperation for the next 30 years.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Jerusalem:

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss regional developments and the urgent need to address the issue of humanitarian assistance to Gaza which is facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and updated him on recent developments in the fighting in the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli Prime Minister posted on X from his official handle.

The Director of the National Security Council, the Prime Minister’s Foreign Policy Advisor and the Indian Ambassador to Israel also participated in the meeting. pic.twitter.com/epJd1CsVDW

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 11, 2024

More than 30,000 Palestinians were estimated to have been killed during the operation in Gaza, which Israel launched in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas militants that left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead and about 250 taken hostage.

The sides also discussed the effort to release the hostages and the issue of humanitarian assistance,” he said.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has created a growing humanitarian crisis, and the UN has warned that at least 576,000 people across the Gaza Strip – one-quarter of the population – are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity.

Western countries have pressed Israel to expand land deliveries by facilitating more routes and opening additional crossings.

Mr Doval also met his Israeli counterpart Tzakhi Hanegbi, who was also present during the meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been constantly in touch with the important leaders in the region, such as the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, and is actively involved in discussions to promote peace and stability in the region.

India has supported efforts to provide necessary humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population in Gaza sending consignments of essential items.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Jerusalem:

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss regional developments and the urgent need to address the issue of humanitarian assistance to Gaza which is facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and updated him on recent developments in the fighting in the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli Prime Minister posted on X from his official handle.

The Director of the National Security Council, the Prime Minister’s Foreign Policy Advisor and the Indian Ambassador to Israel also participated in the meeting. pic.twitter.com/epJd1CsVDW

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 11, 2024

More than 30,000 Palestinians were estimated to have been killed during the operation in Gaza, which Israel launched in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas militants that left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead and about 250 taken hostage.

The sides also discussed the effort to release the hostages and the issue of humanitarian assistance,” he said.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has created a growing humanitarian crisis, and the UN has warned that at least 576,000 people across the Gaza Strip – one-quarter of the population – are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity.

Western countries have pressed Israel to expand land deliveries by facilitating more routes and opening additional crossings.

Mr Doval also met his Israeli counterpart Tzakhi Hanegbi, who was also present during the meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been constantly in touch with the important leaders in the region, such as the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, and is actively involved in discussions to promote peace and stability in the region.

India has supported efforts to provide necessary humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population in Gaza sending consignments of essential items.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Terrorism continues to constitute one of the most serious threats to international peace and regardless of its motivation or cause, the menace is “unjustifiable”, NSA Ajit Doval said on Tuesday. In an address at a conclave of NSAs of India and central Asian countries in Kazakhstan, he also offered fully funded capacity building programmes by New Delhi in a wide range of areas to the participating nations.

The National Security Advisor also said that India is ready to provide the central Asian nations with the technology relating to the United Payment Interface (UPI) free of cost for their independent use. He said that setting up of sovereign digital payment systems will greatly enhance commercial linkages between India and Central Asia and benefit people who may have to travel to India for medical treatment, according to sources. 

The NSA said connectivity and economic integration with the Central Asian countries is a key priority for India. However, while promoting connectivity, it is important to ensure that connectivity initiatives are consultative, transparent, and participatory, he said.

Mr Doval said connectivity initiatives should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and that they should also adhere to environmental parameters, ensure financial viability, and not become debt burdens.

The remarks came amid increasing criticism of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

In this context, the absence of direct land access between Central Asia and India is an anomaly, he observed.

This absence of direct connectivity is the result of a conscious policy of denial by a particular country, he said in comments seen as an indirect reference to Pakistan.

Mr Doval said this situation is not only self-defeating for this country but it also reduces the collective well-being of the entire region.

He also underlined the advantages of including the Chabahar port in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

Mr Doval invited Central Asian neighbours to utilize the Chabahar port as well as its Shaheed Bahesti terminal, being operated by an Indian company, for maritime trade. He solicited support for including Chabahar port within the framework of INSTC.   Both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will be joining the INSTC soon. With this, all five Central Asian countries will be a member of the INSTC.

The first meeting of NSAs and Secretaries of Security Councils of India and Central Asian nations was held on December 6 last year in New Delhi. Mr Doval also noted that the situation in Afghanistan remains a “cause of concern”.

Our common immediate priorities include providing humanitarian assistance, ensuring the formation of a truly inclusive and representative government combating terrorism and drug trafficking, and preserving the rights of women, children, and them minorities, he said.

India is deeply involved in the humanitarian assistance being provided to the Afghan people, he said.

In line with India’s approach to encourage sports in Afghanistan, the Afghan cricket team is in India to play in the ICC World Cup, Mr Doval said.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)