Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan during a meeting to discuss iCET on January 31, 2023 in Washington, US.

The proposed visit comes as the US government last week approved the sale of 31 MQ9B drones to India. The US State Department has approved the proposed sale to India of drones and related equipment worth $3.99 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.

Mr. Jake Sullivan’s agenda includes attending the Raisina Dialogue – India’s premier foreign policy dialogue; together with his host counterpart Ajit Doval, focusing on reviewing the progress of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).

Last December, the US and Indian deputy national security advisers held a comprehensive review of iCET and agreed to expand the scope of the initiative to biotechnology, critical minerals and rare earth processing technology, digital connectivity and digital public infrastructure, and advanced materials.