PM Modi Acknowledges Letter from President Biden, Reinforces Commitment to Strengthen India-US Relations

New Delhi, Jan 6 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasized that the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership has reached new milestones, particularly in the fields of technology, defence, space, biotechnology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

PM Modi made these remarks during a meeting with the outgoing US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan, who visited him in New Delhi as he concluded his two-day visit to India.

"It was a pleasure to meet US NSA Jake Sullivan. The India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership has achieved remarkable heights, particularly in technology, defence, space, biotechnology, and Artificial Intelligence. I look forward to building on this momentum in our relations for the benefit of our citizens and global welfare," PM Modi shared on X following their discussion.

As per the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Prime Minister Modi and Sullivan "positively evaluated" the substantial progress in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership over the past four years.

While reaffirming his dedication to fortifying the close collaboration between the two nations, PM Modi also expressed his gratitude for a letter from President Biden that was presented to him by NSA Sullivan.

"Reflecting on his various interactions with President Biden, including his visit to the US in September 2024 for the Quad Leaders’ Summit, PM Modi acknowledged President Biden’s efforts in reinforcing the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, which leaves a lasting impact," stated the PMO.

PM Modi also extended his best wishes to President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

Earlier that day, Sullivan met with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar to deliberate on a wide array of strategic, regional, and bilateral matters.

"I was pleased to meet US NSA Jake Sullivan in New Delhi this morning. We continued our discussions on enhancing bilateral, regional, and global cooperation. I valued the openness of our dialogues over the last four years and appreciated his personal contribution to cultivating a closer and stronger India-US partnership," stated EAM Jaishankar.

The two sides engaged in talks covering a variety of strategic, regional, and bilateral topics, including the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) during Sullivan's time in the capital.

Over the weekend, the White House announced that Sullivan was in India "for a capstone meeting" with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, addressing a range of issues across the spectrum of the India-US partnership - from space, defence, and strategic technology cooperation to shared security priorities in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

"This will be Mr. Sullivan's final trip to the Indo-Pacific region as National Security Advisor. He is very enthusiastic and looking forward to these discussions at this crucial juncture," stated White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby.

The visit occurs just prior to US President Joe Biden's departure from office on January 20, ahead of Donald Trump being inaugurated as the nation's 47th president.

Both NSAs recognized that the iCET, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden in May 2022, would play a crucial role in enhancing the strategic partnership between the two nations.

In June 2024, while addressing an iCET roundtable alongside Sullivan, NSA Doval highlighted that India and the US must lead in technology - especially in Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, biotech, and other emerging technologies - to safeguard and uphold their value systems.

"iCET has surpassed our expectations,” stated Doval, emphasizing the advancements made in the defence innovation roadmap and startups, while underscoring the significance of the expanding semiconductor sector.

Sullivan enumerated three key areas for technology partnerships - innovation, production, and deployment - stressing the necessity of government support for the private sector.

"There is bipartisan support for Indian industry in the US, and building the ecosystem and supply chain manufacturing is essential for production," he conveyed to industry leaders last year.

"The essence of iCET is about the notion of India and the US being able to support each other and foster greater collaboration in the technology ecosystem, jointly innovate, and devise solutions to challenges," Sullivan remarked.