India-US NSAs discuss regional security to ensure stability in Indo-Pacific region, globally

In the backdrop of United States sanctions on 19 Indian companies for aiding Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine and after the latest indictment in the US regarding a failed assassination plot against a Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval recently discussed “regional security developments, underscoring the need for further efforts to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region and globally."

The discussion over the phone between the two security advisors also came after the Indian Army confirmed that disengagement has been completed at two friction points along the India-China border in Ladakh.

Pertinently, it is the first publicized interaction over the phone between the two NSAs which took place also after Canada alleged the involvement of the Indian government, including Home Minister Amit Shah, in acts against another Sikh separatist on their soil.

The Doval-Sullivan call was made public by the White House in a statement issued days before the US polls on Nov 5. “US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke by phone today with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval,” the statement said.

“The two leaders discussed regional security developments, underscoring the need for further efforts to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region and globally,” it said.

“They welcomed progress in the bilateral partnership, including through the upcoming Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) Intersessional and Indian Ocean Dialogue. They also discussed further opportunities for closer collaboration in key domains, including clean energy supply chains and defense cooperation,” it added.

On Oct 31, the US State Department described Canada’s allegations against Shah as “concerning.”

“The allegations made by the government of Canada are concerning, and we will continue to consult with the Canadian government about those allegations,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller was quoted by PTI as telling reporters at his daily news conference.

About two weeks ago, a US court named a former Indian intelligence officer as an alleged conspirator in the failed plot against US-based Pannun. Meanwhile, Canadian officials recently alleged before a parliamentary committee there that Shah was involved in the plot that led to the assassination of Canada-based Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

While an Indian probe team visited the US recently to engage with American authorities in the Pannun case, India has dismissed Canada’s charges as “completely unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations.”

Doval did not accompany Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to the US in September with sources quoted by PTI pointing to elections in J&K and other domestic commitments.

Incidentally, the Indian NSA was among those summoned days earlier by the US court hearing the lawsuit filed by Pannun seeking damages for the alleged assassination plot.