As India faces heat over alleged action against Khalistanis, NSA Ajit Doval gets on a call with US counterpart Jake Sullivan

'The two leaders discussed regional security developments, underscoring the need for further efforts to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region and globally,' the White House readout following the call said.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval Thursday got on a call with his US counterpart Jake Sullivan.

"The two leaders discussed regional security developments, underscoring the need for further efforts to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region and globally," the White House handout following the call said.

The readout stated that both welcomed progress in the bilateral partnership, 'including through the upcoming Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) Intersessional and Indian Ocean Dialogue'. 

Doval and Sullivan also discussed more opportunities for closer collaboration in key domains, including 'clean energy supply chains and defense cooperation'.

The two leaders spoke over the phone on Wednesday.

“They also discussed further opportunities for closer collaboration in key domains, including clean energy supply chains and defence cooperation,” said the White House. Early this week, the US had said that Canada’s allegations against Union Home Minister Amit Shah are “concerning”.

“The allegations made by the government of Canada are concerning, and we will continue to consult with the Canadian government about those allegations,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Thursday.

Canada’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison had "confirmed" a leaked Washington Post report alleging that Shah was behind a campaign to target Khalistani separatists in Canada.

In response to a question Morrison said he had “confirmed” Shah’s name to The Washington Post.

“The journalist called me and asked if it was that person. I confirmed it was that person,” he said.

The United States also said that it welcomes any reduction in tension along the India-China border and noted that it has been briefed by New Delhi on this. “We are closely following the developments (between India and China). We understand that both countries have taken initial steps to withdraw troops from friction points along the Line of Actual Control. We welcome any reduction in tensions along the border,” Miller said.

Responding to a question, Miller said that the US has played no role in this. “We have talked to our Indian partners and been briefed on it, but we did not play any role in this resolution,” Miller said.

(With PTI inputs)