National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan discussed regional security developments and opportunities for closer cooperation in key areas such as defense, against the backdrop of tensions created by an alleged plot targeting a Khalistan separatist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. American soil.

The two officials stressed the need to “continue efforts to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world” while discussing regional security developments during a telephone conversation Wednesday, the White House said. in a press release.

Their conversation also focused on new opportunities for closer collaboration in key areas, including clean energy supply chains and defense cooperation, according to the statement. “They welcomed the progress made in the bilateral partnership, notably through the upcoming Intersessional and Indian Ocean Dialogue of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET),” he added.

There has been no official word from India on the conversation. Doval and Sullivan lead the iCET, which is at the heart of bilateral efforts to forge closer collaboration in key areas such as defense, security, semiconductors, AI and supply chains.

The conversation came at a time when the US State Department has called Canada’s allegations related to Sikh separatism on its soil “concerning”.

“The allegations made by the Government of Canada are concerning and we will continue to consult with the Canadian government regarding these allegations,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a regular press briefing. after being questioned about Ottawa’s allegations that Shah was linked to efforts to target Sikh militants on Canadian soil.

Appearing before a parliamentary panel this week, Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison confirmed that he had briefed the Washington Post on a report on the allegations against Shah.

The alleged plot to target Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on US soil has emerged as a rare irritant in otherwise strong India-US relations, which have seen significant growth in areas ranging from defense to trade. The Indian side has set up a high-level commission of inquiry to probe information provided by the United States regarding the alleged plot and several people have been removed from their posts in the country’s foreign intelligence agency .