US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who is in New Delhi on a two-day visit, has announced efforts to finalize necessary steps to delist Indian nuclear entities. This will promote civil nuclear cooperation and resilient clean energy supply chains.

The announcement came during his meeting with Indian NSA Ajit Doval, according to a joint press release issued on Monday (January 6, 2025).

PM Modi Reaffirms Commitment to Deepen Close Cooperation between India & US
While in New Delhi, NSA Sullivan called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They positively assessed the significant advancement in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership over the last four years, especially in the key areas of technology, defence, space, civil nuclear, clean energy, semiconductors, and AI. 

Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed his commitment to continue to deepen close cooperation between the two democracies for the benefit of the people of the two countries and for the global good, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

“It was a pleasure to meet the US National Security Advisor @JakeSullivan46. The India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership has scaled new heights, including in the areas of technology, defence, space, biotechnology and Artificial Intelligence. Look forward to building upon this momentum in ties between our two democracies for the benefit of our people and global good,” Prime Minister Modi said on social media platform X.

US Efforts to Delist Indian Nuclear Entities
During the day, NSA Sullivan met NSA Doval for discussions to review progress in cooperation in defence, Cyber, and maritime security. 

One of the highlights of the meeting was NSA Sullivan announcing US efforts to finalize necessary steps to delist Indian nuclear entities, which will promote civil nuclear cooperation and resilient clean energy supply chains.

This reflects the progress the United States and India have made—and will continue to make—as strategic partners and countries with a shared commitment to peaceful nuclear cooperation, the joint press statement issued after the meeting said. 

NSA Sullivan also briefed the Indian side on the updates brought out by the Biden administration to U.S. missile export control policies under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) that will boost US commercial space cooperation with India. 

Over the past few years, the two NSAs have engaged regularly in a high-level dialogue through extensive discussions on a broad bilateral, regional and global agenda.

They have driven concrete initiatives between the two countries across a range of areas including Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Semiconductors, Telecommunications, Defence and Space since the launch of the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) by Prime Minister Modi and President Joseph Biden on the side lines of the Quad Summit in Tokyo in May 2022.

“The current visit gave them the opportunity to review ongoing progress in their high-level dialogue, including in diverse fields such as Defence, Cyber and Maritime Security,” the joint press release noted. 

Forging a Closer and Stronger India-US Partnership
The US NSA also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussed steps to deepen bilateral, regional and global cooperation. EAM Jaishankar expressed his appreciation for the US NSA’s personal contribution to forging a closer and stronger India-US partnership

“Delighted to meet US NSA @JakeSullivan46 in New Delhi today morning. 

Continued our ongoing discussions on deepening bilateral, regional and global cooperation. Valued the openness of our conversations in the last four years. Appreciated his personal contribution to forging a closer and stronger India-US partnership,” EAM Jaishankar said on X.

During a recent visit to Washington, EAM Jaishankar met both Sullivan and his likely successor, Congressman Michael Waltz. This marked the first high-level contact between Indian officials and members of the incoming Trump administration. These engagements reflect India’s proactive approach to ensuring continuity and strength in its strategic partnership with the US.

Addressing the media on January 3, 2025, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized the depth and resilience of India-US relations. He stated, “The India-US partnership is expansive, encompassing strong economic and technological collaboration. Mobility of skilled professionals remains a crucial component, benefiting both nations.”

India looks forward to deepening ties with the new US administration under President-elect Trump, Jaiswal added.