New Delhi: The U.S. Principal Deputy National Security Advisor (N.S.A.) Jon Finer met with Indian Deputy National Security Advisor (N.S.A.) Vikram Misri, External Affairs Minister (E.A.M.) S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary (F.S.) Vinay Kwatra on December 4.

Principal Deputy N.S.A. Jon Finer led a U.S. delegation to New Delhi on December 4 for an intersessional review of the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) with his Indian Counterpart Vikram Misri.

This is a follow up to the visit of the U.S. N.S.A. Jake Sullivan to India in June 2023 and the visit of N.S.A. Ajit Doval, KC to the U.S. in January 2023.

Taking X, Indian Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri posted:

"Delighted to meet today with my #US counterpart, Principal Deputy NSA Jonathan Finer and discuss with him the ever expanding and ever more important #India #US strategic partnership, including #iCET"

The iCET is a major milestone in the U.S.-India partnership, which is increasingly defined by strategic security and technology cooperation, the White House said.

During the consultations, the two Deputy N.S.As reviewed key bilateral issues and exchanged views on regional and global developments.

The Deputy National Security Advisors of two countries undertook the first comprehensive mid-term review of the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) after the first meeting led by the respective NSAs in January 2023 in Washington D.C. 

In May 2022, Prime Minister Modi and the U.S. President Biden launched iCET to facilitate outcome-oriented cooperation in new and emerging technologies. iCET is co-led by the NSCS in India and the US National Security Council (NSC).

The two Deputy NSAs also reiterated their commitment to fulfilling the vision of Prime Minister Modi and President Biden for elevating the bilateral strategic partnership and agreed to broaden the scope of iCET to biotechnology, critical minerals and rare earths processing technologies, digital connectivity and digital public infrastructure, and advanced materials.

N.S.A. Finer conducted bilateral and regional consultations with Ambassador Misri, E.A.M S. Jaishankar, N.S.A. Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra for in-depth discussions aimed at strengthening coordination and policy alignment across the Indo-Pacific, including the wider Indian Ocean region.  

They discussed the Middle East, including the recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the importance of safeguarding freedom of commercial navigation, as well as plans for a post-conflict Gaza and a pathway toward a two-state solution. 

Mr. Finer acknowledged India’s establishment of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate lethal plotting in the United States and the importance of holding accountable anyone found responsible.

Posting on X, E.A.M. Jaishankar wrote: 

"Good to meet Principal Deputy NSA of the US Jon Finer this afternoon. Useful exchange of views on the global situation. Discussed taking our bilateral cooperation forward."

Mr. Finer acknowledged India's establishment of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate lethal plotting in the United States and the importance of holding accountable anyone found responsible, the White House said.