'Discussed Preparations For PM Modi's Upcoming US Visit': Jaishankar After Meeting NSA Jake Sullivan

EAM Dr. S Jaishankar met the United States National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day US visit next week.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar on Wednesday met United States National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day US visit next week. The minister discussed the preparations for the upcoming visit and global strategic developments from the perspective of the India-US partnership. He took to Twitter to inform about the meeting which took place in South Block this morning. PM Modi will reach Washington DC on a three-day state visit on June 21. As per PTI, the welcome ceremony and the state dinner along with an address to the Joint Session of the US Congress are scheduled for June 22. 

"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," Jaishankar tweeted.

The top Biden administration official arrived here on Tuesday on a two-day visit for talks with NSA Ajit Doval, Jaishankar and some other senior Indian officials ahead of PM Modi's trip, reported PTI. 

NSA Doval and Sullivan on Tuesday unveiled an ambitious roadmap for Indo-US collaboration in seven specific high-technology areas that includes semiconductors, next-generation telecommunication, artificial intelligence and defence. 

After the event, Sullivan said both sides are looking at deliverables to address issues that have stood in the way of maximising the full potential of cooperation between the two sides, referring to PM Modi's visit to Washington, as quoted by PTI. 

Notably, the roadmap for collaboration on iCET was announced at the second Track-1.5 dialogue on Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) that was organised by industry chamber CII. 

Last year in May, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi announced the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) to elevate and expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the two countries. The formal step on the framework was taken in January, reported PTI. 

Earlier on Tuesday, the White House said that it is looking to convey that the relationship between India and America is of "positive strategic consequence", reported PTI.

While addressing the panel discussion during the annual 'India Ideas Summit' of the US India Business Council on Tuesday, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said that after years of strengthening ties across administrations, the US-India partnership is deeper and more expensive than ever. 

“The main message that we are looking to convey is that this is a relationship of positive strategic consequence,” he said, as quoted by PTI. He added, “We think we are much more deeply aligned and significantly converging with each other on numerous global issues and innumerable ways we can benefit each of our populations.” 

He further said that in just eight days, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have the honour to receive the Prime Minister of India at the White House for an official state visit and dinner, which will be the third such occasion for this administration. 

“I can tell you, … how much he's looking forward to it, how much attention to detail is given at the very highest levels for governments and it's good evidence of that,” he said.