US National Security Adviser (NSA) Jake Sullivan had scheduled a visit to New Delhi on April 18 for discussions with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval regarding the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology. Sullivan has cancelled this trip due to escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, marking the second time this year that his visit to New Delhi has been postpond.
Sullivan’s Planned Visit to New Delhi for iCET Discussions
According to anonymous sources familiar with the matter, there were plans for US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to visit New Delhi on April 18 for discussions with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval regarding the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). This visit had originally been scheduled for February but was postponed due to Sullivan’s prior commitments.
Iran retaliated against Israel on April 13 by launching numerous drones and missiles, escalating tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv. This retaliation came in response to an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria on April 1, which resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including a high-ranking general from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
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Unannounced Visit of Sullivan and Campbell
India extended an invitation to President Biden to serve as the chief guest at the annual Republic Day celebrations on January 26, with plans for a Quad Leaders’ Summit to follow the next day. However, due to Biden’s inability to accept the invitation, it is unlikely that the Quad Summit will take place before November, as stated by sources familiar with the matter.
Both countries had not officially announced the anticipated visit of Sullivan, along with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, the second-ranking diplomat in the state department.
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