New Delhi: US national security advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan will not be travelling to India next week, leading to the postponement of the scheduled review of the bilateral Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

Although not officially announced, Sullivan was expected to visit New Delhi to coincide with the Raisina Dialogue, the Ministry of External Affairs’ flagship international conference on diplomacy.

However, it is learnt that the NSA Sullivan’s plan has changed and his visit to India will take place later. The cancellation was first reported by Hindustan Times.

The US embassy in New Delhi did not comment.

The joint statement issued during US President Joe Biden’s visit to India in September last year had mentioned that the national security advisors of both countries would undertake a review of iCET in “early 2024”.

Last year saw several major bilateral visits between India and the US, including two at the head-of-state level. However, the trip of the US NSA to India was anticipated to be the first high-level visit of this year.

The iCET review was scheduled to occur during the February visit, along with a meeting of senior Quad officials attending the Raisina Dialogue. However, no new dates have been determined following the cancellation.

The US is currently grappling with two major geo-political crises – Ukraine and West Asia. Both also have implications domestically, drawing significant attention from the Biden administration as the presidential elections approach later this year.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.