India and the US, the world’s two largest and oldest democracies, share a unique bond of friendship, the White House said on Monday while speaking about US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s visit to India.

Sullivan is in Delhi from June 17 to 18. This is the first visit to India by a top Biden administration official after the Narendra Modi-led government came to power for a historic third term.

Addressing a press conference in Washington, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said Sullivan’s visit to India will further strengthen the already strong US-India partnership, leading to a safer and more prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

“As the world’s two oldest and largest democracies, the United States and India share a unique bond of friendship, and Sullivan’s visit will further strengthen the already strong U.S.-India partnership, building a safer and more prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

Kirby said Sullivan co-chaired the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) in Delhi, a landmark partnership to expand strategic cooperation in key technology areas, including space, semiconductors, advanced telecommunications, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, and clean energy.

On Monday, Sullivan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval, who was recently appointed to the post for a third term.

“Met US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. India is committed to further strengthening the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership for global good,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted on Monday.

Meanwhile, Kirby did not respond to questions about Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who is accused of plotting to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu on US soil.

Gupta was extradited to the US from the Czech Republic and pleaded not guilty when he appeared in federal court in New York on Monday.

“I don’t have anything more to say about Jake’s talks. He’s still there negotiating. But as I said, the main purpose of his trip was to explore ways to further strengthen the US-India bilateral relationship, particularly when it comes to emerging technology,” Kirby said.

India has publicly stated that a high-level investigation is being conducted into the evidence shared by the US regarding an alleged plot to assassinate Pannu, head of the banned Sikh For Justice (SFJ) organisation.