NEW DELHI — India and the United States on Monday pledged to strengthen defense and technology cooperation and remove long-standing barriers to bilateral strategic trade following a meeting between the national security advisers of both countries.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is on a two-day visit to the Indian capital, New Delhi, marking the first visit from a high-ranking U.S. official since Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured a third straight term in India’s general election earlier this month. Sullivan met with his counterpart, Ajit Doval, to discuss progress on the Initiative on Critical Emerging Technologies, which the two countries launched in 2022.

The initiative sets a path for collaboration on semiconductor production and developing artificial intelligence and was critical in sealing a deal that will allow U.S.-based General Electric to partner with India’s Hindustan Aeronautics to produce jet engines in India.

On Monday, the two officials emphasized the need for more collaboration, focusing on funding innovative research in areas such as semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, and machine learning. They also discussed the possible co-production of land warfare systems, according to a joint statement.

Sullivan also held talks with Modi, in which the two reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering ties between New Delhi and Washington. Additionally, he met with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. On Tuesday, Sullivan was expected to meet with industry and business leaders.

India and the U.S. have grown closer recently as both countries eye China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region with caution. Modi was honored with a pomp-filled state visit last year, where he and President Joe Biden called the India-U.S. relationship among the most consequential in the world.

However, ties have also been tested after U.S. prosecutors last year accused an Indian government official of orchestrating a plot to murder a Sikh separatist leader in New York. Sullivan’s visit to New Delhi comes as an Indian national was extradited to the U.S. from the Czech Republic to face charges of murder for hire and conspiracy to commit murder for hire in relation to the assassination plot, which was foiled by U.S. officials.

The charges were the second recent accusation of complicity by Indian government officials in attempts to kill Sikh separatist figures living in North America. In September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were credible allegations that the Indian government had links to the assassination in that country of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. While India rejected Trudeau’s accusations, it has set up an investigation committee to look into the U.S. allegations.

The strategic and defense cooperation between India and the U.S. is seen as a counterbalance to China's influence in the region. The recent discussions have underscored the importance of technology and defense in the bilateral relationship. The partnership on semiconductor production, in particular, is a significant step, considering the global chip shortage and the strategic importance of semiconductors in modern technology and defense systems.

Moreover, the focus on clean energy aligns with global efforts to combat climate change, a priority for both nations. By collaborating on machine learning and AI, the two countries aim to advance their technological capabilities, which are crucial for economic growth and national security.

The joint statement also highlighted the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, a region that has become a central point of strategic interest for both countries. The U.S. has been keen on strengthening alliances and partnerships in the region, and India’s role is pivotal given its geographic location and growing economic and military capabilities.

As the bilateral relationship deepens, both nations continue to navigate challenges and leverage opportunities to strengthen their strategic partnership. The ongoing efforts to remove barriers to trade and enhance cooperation in critical technologies are expected to bolster economic ties and contribute to regional stability and security.

The strengthening of defense and technology ties between India and the U.S. is not only pivotal for the bilateral relationship but also for the larger strategic landscape in the Indo-Pacific region. Both nations are poised to benefit from this enhanced cooperation, which promises to bring advancements in critical technologies, bolster defense capabilities, and contribute to a stable and secure regional environment.