In a sign of deepening & strengthening Indo-US defence ties, Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar and US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter on Tuesday discussed priorities for the coming year in defence ties, as well as specific steps both sides will take to pursue those priorities.
Carter is on a visit to India from April 10-13, 2016. His visit comes at a time when the US defence industry is keen to capture a big pie of India’s market. Several US defence majors have shown willingness to participate in the Modi government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, and the recently concluded Defence Expo saw the US as the top foreign exhibitor.
Some of the steps that Carter and Parrikar discussed for enhancing defence ties included: expanding collaboration under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI); Make in India efforts of government of India; new opportunities to deepen cooperation in maritime security and Maritime Domain Awareness; military-to-military relations; the knowledge partnership in the field of defence; and regional and international security matters of mutual interest.
The two countries expressed desire to explore agreements which would facilitate further expansion of bilateral defence cooperation in practical ways. In this regard, they announced their in principle agreement to conclude a Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, and to continue working toward other facilitating agreements to enhance military cooperation and technology transfer.
Carter’s visit marked the fourth meeting between him and Parrikar within a year, demonstrating the regular ministerial-level oversight of the robust and deepening bilateral Defence relationship, said the Indo-US Joint Statement. Here’s an insight into the takeaways from Carter and Parrikar’s meeting:
1) Make in India focus: In support of Make in India, the United States shared two proposals to bolster India’s suite of fighter aircraft for consideration of the government. Recently, two US defence majors, Lockheed Martin & Boeing have offered to manufacture their fighter jets F-16 and F/A-18 in India.
With the aim of encouraging greater participation of US defence industries in the ‘Make In India’ program, Parrikar informed Carter about the recently announced Defence Procurement Policy (DPP) and other reforms in the Indian defence sector.
Both sides agreed to encourage their respective defence industries to develop new partnerships in the pursuit of a range of cutting-edge projects.
2) South China Sea issue: Parrikar and Carter reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region, including in the South China Sea.
“They vowed their support for a rules-based order and regional security architecture conducive to peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean, and emphasized their commitment to working together and with other nations to ensure the security and stability that have been beneficial to the Asia-Pacific for decades,” said the joint statement.
The commitment comes at a time when China has come under severe criticism for building islands in the disputed South China Sea. US has time and again emphasised on freedom of navigation and has sent several warships including USS John C. Stennis in that region.
3) Aircraft carrier boost: Parrikar & Carter commended the on-going discussions at the Jet Engine Technology Joint Working Group (JETJWG) and the Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation (JWGACTC).
“They agreed to work towards greater cooperation in the field of cutting-edge defence technologies, including deepening consultations on aircraft carrier design and operations, and jet engine technology. They noted the understanding reached to conclude an information exchange annex (IEA) to enhance data and information sharing specific to aircraft carriers,” said the joint statement.
4) Other projects under DTTI: Both also reiterated their commitment to pursue co-development and co-production of advanced defence articles under the DTTI. In this context, they agreed to initiate two new DTTI pathfinder projects on Digital Helmet Mounted Displays and the Joint Biological Tactical Detection System.
5) Maritime security: In support of the India-US Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region and the maritime security objectives therein, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the area of maritime security.
“In this context, they reaffirmed their desire to expeditiously conclude a white shipping technical arrangement to improve data sharing on commercial shipping traffic. They agreed to commence Navy-to-Navy discussions on submarine safety and anti-submarine warfare. They also agreed to launch a bilateral Maritime Security Dialogue, co-chaired by officials at the Joint Secretary/Assistant Secretary-level of the Indian Ministries of Defence and External Affairs and the US Departments of Defense and State,” said the statement.
6) Exercises: Parrikar and Carter welcomed the efforts by the Indian and US armed Forces to further expand collaboration in the years to come. They welcomed plans across services for greater complexity in their military engagements and exercises, including developing plans for more advanced maritime exercises.
Both sides acknowledged India’s participation in the Rim-of-the-Pacific (RIMPAC) multilateral naval exercise in 2016 as well as participation by the Indian Air Force in the multilateral Red Flag exercise in April-May 2016 in Alaska and US participation in the International Fleet Review of the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam in February 2016.
(This story was originally published on April 12, 2016)
