Redefining Strategic Trade and Technology Cooperation

The Doval-Sullivan meets India-US commitment to overcoming trade and tech barriers, signaling a resilient and deepening strategic partnership amid global uncertainties.

India and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to addressing obstacles to bilateral strategic trade, technology and industrial cooperation. This resolution was declared during a meeting between India's National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, and his US counterpart, Jake Sullivan, who was on a two-day visit to New Delhi.

This visit comes as the US and India seek to forge deeper strategic ties amidst shared concerns. This was evident during the recent convening of the second session of the India-US initiative focusing on Critical and Emerging Technology. Spearheaded by Sullivan and Doval and initiated in January 2023, this collaborative effort underscores the mutual commitment to address shared challenges and explore opportunities for advancement in critical and emerging technological domains.

A joint fact sheet released by the Indian government is the significance of the strategic semiconductor partnership between US and Indian companies. This partnership, aimed at developing precision-guided munitions and other national security-focused electronics platforms, is a tangible manifestation of the deepening India-US cooperation. Both countries are determined to prevent the leakage of sensitive and dual-use technologies to countries of concern without specifying any particular nation.

The two countries agreed to co-invest in a lithium resource project in South America and a rare earth deposit in Africa as part of a broader strategy to diversify critical mineral supply chains. Both nations also committed to concluding a bilateral critical minerals pact covering graphite, gallium, and germanium shortly.

In the defense sector, India's announcement of the purchase of 31 MQ-9B drones from General Atomics is a clear sign of the growing defense collaborations. The ongoing discussions about the joint production of General Electric's fighter jet engines in India in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the potential co-production of land warfare systems.

The meeting between Doval and Sullivan was a powerful testament to India's and the US's shared commitment to overcoming barriers in strategic trade and technological cooperation. This commitment, despite recent, is a strong reassurance of the strength of the relationship. The ongoing defense collaborations and potential new projects further indicate a robust and deepening strategic partnership, reaffirming the strategic alignment and shared vision of India and the US.