Outgoing US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will visit India on 5 and 6 January for crucial discussions with his counterpart Ajit K Doval and other senior officials to conclude pivotal initiatives and strengthen bilateral ties, the White House announced on Friday.
This visit, Sullivan’s last official trip to India before leaving office, will include a landmark foreign policy address at IIT Delhi, where he will underscore India’s central role in US priorities in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Sullivan will be succeeded by Congressman Michael Waltz on 20 January, coinciding with Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States.
During the visit, Sullivan and Doval will engage in a capstone dialogue, focusing on strategic technology cooperation across defence, space, and artificial intelligence, a senior administration official told reporters during a briefing.
“The two national security advisors will not only review the transformative progress made in this historic partnership over the past four years but also finalise ongoing initiatives and identify new opportunities for the incoming administration,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
The Biden administration views the US-India relationship as a “bright point” of its foreign policy, with bipartisan support ensuring continued momentum, the official added.
Sullivan’s address at IIT Delhi is expected to highlight the enduring and bipartisan nature of the US-India partnership, described as “central not only for US priorities in the Indo-Pacific but globally.”
During his visit, Sullivan will also meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other Indian leaders, alongside engaging with business leaders and young entrepreneurs to emphasise people-to-people and enterprise-level ties.
“Overall, the message we intend to leave is one of gratitude for the close partnership between President Biden and Prime Minister Modi over the last four years and optimism for the future of this relationship,” the official stated.
The US delegation, which includes members from various government departments, will explore advancing civil nuclear cooperation, including small modular reactor technology, and aligning strategies on cyber risks, artificial intelligence, and commercial space collaborations.
Another senior official indicated that Sullivan would address several pressing issues during this visit, including strengthening civil nuclear partnerships, countering overcapacity in critical supply chains linked to the People’s Republic of China, and unlocking funding for US-India research collaborations.
The official concluded, “We are proud of the solid foundation laid by the Biden administration, paving the way for exponential growth in areas such as green energy, commercial space cooperation, and AI-driven initiatives.”
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