Washington, DC – National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will visit New Delhi, India, on January 5-6 for his final trip in the role, marking a significant milestone in US-India relations under the Biden administration. In a background briefing to reporters on Friday, senior administration officials highlighted the substantial progress made during the last four years, particularly in strategic technology cooperation.
While in New Delhi, Sullivan will meet with his counterpart, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, to discuss advancements in defense, space, and artificial intelligence partnerships. “The two national security advisors…will not only take stock of the progress that we have made over the last four years, which has been a historic and transformative period in this relationship but also continue to finalize some ongoing initiatives,” a senior administration official said.
Sullivan will also deliver a speech at the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi (IIT Delhi), which officials described as one of India’s premier academic institutions. “He will…emphasize how much India is a relationship that is central, not only for US priorities in the Indo-Pacific but globally,” the official noted, adding that US-India ties have enjoyed bipartisan support and remain resilient across administrations.
During the visit, Sullivan will engage with Indian officials, including External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, business leaders, and entrepreneurs. Senior officials highlighted the importance of fostering strong “people-to-people” and “company-to-company” relationships alongside government efforts. “So much of our achievements under iCET have not just been government work, but really government knocking down barriers and creating more opportunities,” an official explained.
The US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) has become a cornerstone of the partnership, aimed at diversifying technology supply chains, promoting co-production, and bolstering innovation. Officials emphasized that iCET has significantly deepened collaboration in clean energy, semiconductors, and space, while also addressing “PRC technology developments and providing low-cost alternatives to third countries.”
According to senior administration officials, Indian companies invested over $40 billion in the US in 2023, surpassing Chinese investment, while US investments in India exceeded $50 billion. Officials pointed to significant growth in sectors such as green energy, semiconductors, and commercial space ventures.
Sullivan’s discussions with Indian counterparts will also address civil nuclear cooperation and shared concerns about regional stability. On China’s proposed construction of upstream dams in Tibet and their potential impact, officials said, “What matters to us is that when it comes to water resources that have to be managed across countries, those are being handled fairly and in an equitable way.”
Sullivan is expected to address broader geopolitical issues, including China’s establishment of two counties, which include parts of India’s Union Territory of Ladakh. “We’ve been quite clear for some time that… what’s very important in the Indo-Pacific region is that we don’t see countries attempting to unilaterally change a status quo,” a senior administration official stated, referencing regional disputes.
Summing up the trip’s significance, senior officials expressed a strong sense of optimism for the future of US-India ties. “The message that we intend to leave with at the end of this trip is one of real gratitude for the friendship and the partnership that President Biden and Prime Minister Modi have enjoyed…but also one of tremendous optimism because we see a lot of opportunity in the future,” the senior administration official said.

Poonam Sharma
Poonam is a multi-media journalist, and Managing Editor of India America Today (IAT). She launched its print edition in 2019 with IAT's Founder and Editor, the late Tejinder Singh.