New Delhi: US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has lavished praise on the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval calling him an “international treasure”. Addressing the United States-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) meet in Delhi held under the aegis of CII, Garcetti said, "Ajit Doval, a village boy from Uttarakhand, who now has become not only a national treasure but an international treasure.
He had the same vision to come together and say what can we do to change this century". Further lauding India, and US ties, the ambassador said, "When I look at the foundation between the United States and India, it is so strong, it is so clear that Indians love Americans and Americans love Indians". He praised the progress India has made in terms of digital payments and financial technology and said, "A 'tea wall in a village makes sure that she gets direct payment from the government on her phone, 100 percent of each one of those rupees."
Earlier in the day, the Indian and US National Security advisors met in New Delhi for discussions on regional and global issues of mutual interest. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is on an official visit to New Delhi from 13-14 June, at the invitation of Ajit Doval, KC, National Security Adviser of India. He is accompanied by a delegation of senior US government officials and leaders of US industry.
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The two NSAs have engaged regularly in extensive discussions on a broad bilateral, regional, and global agenda. The current visit of Jake Suvillan, which comes in the run-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US, will allow them to continue their high-level dialogue, which will include a review of the robust and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries as well as a survey of the India-US global strategic partnership.
Following the launch of the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) by Prime Minister Modi and President Joseph Biden on the sidelines of the QUAD Summit in Tokyo on 24 May 2022, the two NSAs have also driven a concerted effort between the two countries to engage on the identified areas of collaboration, including Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Semiconductors, Telecommunications, Defence and Space, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Jake Sullivan will hold a bilateral talk with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and other government dignitaries on Wednesday.
