The United States will eliminate barriers that have hindered collaboration between Indian nuclear organisations and American firms, according to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Hindustan Times reported. Although he did not specify which Indian entities would be affected, US documents list organisations like the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Centre (IGCAR) and other facilities linked to India’s nuclear programme as restricted entities, the newspaper added.

Speaking at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi on January 6, Sullivan called this a crucial moment in implementing the 2005 civil nuclear accord. The announcement followed discussions with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

This move signifies a fresh chapter in the India-US partnership, shedding the "frictions of the past" and recognising India’s “open and transparent engagement” with the US, Sullivan noted. It also represents a long-awaited advancement in the civil nuclear agreement signed in 2008, originally envisioned during the 2005 meeting between then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former US President George W. Bush. Regulatory challenges had previously stalled efforts to supply US nuclear reactors to India, according to Hindustan Times.

Acknowledging past challenges, Sullivan said the US and India had faced tensions over trade, human rights and legacy relationships. Despite this, both countries have maintained a long-term perspective, navigating these issues through mutual resilience and bipartisan support in the US.

Sullivan also touched on broader aspects of the India-US partnership, including advancements in space exploration and shared concerns about global supply chain vulnerabilities. He criticised China’s industrial strategies in semiconductors, clean energy and emerging technologies, pointing to their predatory nature and the risks of over-reliance on a single country. This context underscores the importance of initiatives such as the US Chips and Science Act, India’s Semiconductor Mission, and the Production-Linked Incentive scheme, which aim to boost domestic production and diversify supply chains, according to the newspaper.

In the defence sector, Sullivan noted that the India-US partnership has transformed dramatically over the past two decades. From having no defence trade or cooperation frameworks 25 years ago, the relationship has evolved to include joint manufacturing and technology-sharing agreements. The US is now not only selling defence systems to India but also producing them locally. Recent agreements have paved the way for India to become a global producer of advanced military systems, including Stryker combat vehicles and maritime technologies, he said.

The collaboration extends to initiatives for manufacturing jet engines for India’s indigenous fighter jets, a move that Sullivan said could bolster defence capabilities across the Indo-Pacific. Strengthening security in this region remains a shared priority for India and the US, aimed at ensuring a more stable, secure, and prosperous future.

Sullivan concluded by reaffirming the importance of the India-US partnership in addressing global challenges and shaping a resilient Indo-Pacific region, positioning the two nations as indispensable allies in an evolving world order.