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BIG STORY JUNE 21, 2024 | The Indian Eye 4

INDIA-US RELATIONS

BACK on TRACK?

US NSA Jake Sullivan goes to engage with India’s top leaders even as the main

suspect in the alleged Pannun plot is extradited to New York.

Can New Delhi and Washington come over their differences over Ukraine?

OUR BUREAU
New Delhi/New York/Berne
n a dramatic development on
Monday, Indian national Nikhil
IGupta, who is accused of being
involved in the alleged failed mur-
der plot of India-designated terrorist
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New
York City was extradited from the
Czech Republic to the US to stand
trial. The US Justice Department has
alleged that Gupta (52) is an associate
of the Indian government and that to-
gether they and others helped plot the
assassination of Pannun.
Gupta’s US-based lawyer, attor-
ney Jeffrey Chabrowe said that his
focus would be to pursue Gupta’s
defense vigorously regardless of “out-
side pressures.” “We will pursue his
(Gupta’s) defense vigorously and en-
sure he receives full due process, re-
gardless of outside pressures,” Chab-
rowe firmly asserted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan in New Delhi on Monday (ANI)
New Delhi has firmly dissociated
itself from the plot against Pannun, day refrained from commenting on add to the conversations....” said John on other defense cooperation sectors
saying it is against the Indian gov- the question of the plot to kill Pannun Kirby. between the two nations.
ernment’s policy. It has said it would came up in National Security Advis- Sullivan’s visit to Delhi, from June The key points that were high-
formally investigate security concerns er (NSA) Jake Sullivan’s meetings 17 to 18, marks the first trip to India lighted in the fact sheet were Signif-
raised by Washington. Earlier in No- in India and if it will be part of the by a senior Biden Administration offi- icant Funding Commitments, NA-
vember, the US Justice Department discussions. In a White House press cial after the Modi government came SA-ISRO Collaboration, Defense
unsealed an indictment against an In- briefing, National Security Spokes- to power for the third term. Earlier in Space Technology, Telecommunica-
dian national for his alleged involve- person John Kirby said, “I don’t have the day, Sullivan and Indian National tions Advances, Semiconductor Part-
ment in a foiled plot to assassinate a more to add on the conversations that Security Advisor Ajit Doval attended nership, Quantum and AI Coopera-
US-based leader of the Sikh Separat- Jake Sullivan is having. He is still over the annual meeting of the Initiative tion amongst many others.
ist Movement and a citizen in New there having these conversations.” on Critical and Emerging Technology In an important move, India and
York. Kirby said that the main focus of (iCET) between the two countries. the US Monday launched a new stra-
The discovery of alleged assassi- his visit was to look for ways to deep- The delegation-level talks were held tegic semiconductors partnership to
nation plot against Pannun in the US en the US-India bilateral relationship, in the national capital. This was the co-develop semiconductor design and
has brought the India-US relationship particularly when it comes to emerg- second iCET meeting between the manufacturing processes for preci-
under the spotlight. ing technology. “He is still over there two countries and is being held over sion-guided ammunition. “Launching
Gupta was extradited to New having these conversations. But the two days on June 17 and 18. a new strategic semiconductor part-
York the same day when US National main focus of his visit, as I said, was Following the Critical and Emerg- nership between General Atomics
Security Adviser (NSA) Jake Sullivan to look for ways to deepen the US-In- ing Technology initiative talks in New and 3rdiTech to co-develop semicon-
was in New Delhi to hold meetings dia bilateral relationship, particularly Delhi, India and the US released a ductor design and manufacturing for
with India’s top leaders. when it comes to emerging technol- joint fact sheet which highlighted the precision-guided ammunition and
But the White House on Mon- ogy. I don’t have anything more to progress on MQ-9B acquisition, and Continued on next page... >>

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