Defence Minister Parrikar & US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on INS Vikramaditya
by Anupama Airy
India and the United States have agreed to expand collaboration under the Defence Technology Trade Initiative (DTTI) as also the Make in India efforts of Government of India.
The two sides also announced their in-principle agreement to conclude a Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and to continue working towards other facilitating agreements to enhance military cooperation and technology transfer.
These announcements came as part of the Joint Press conference by India’s Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and the US Defence Secretary Dr Ashton Carter on April 12.
In a joint statement, the two sides have also expressed their desire to explore agreements which would facilitate further expansion of bilateral defence cooperation in practical ways.
For instance, India and the United States have agreed to jointly explore 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.
Parrikar and Carter 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. They 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 also 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.
With the aim of encouraging greater participation of U.S. Defence Industries in the Make In India program of the Government of India, Parrikar informed Carter about the recently announced Defence Procurement Policy and other reforms in the Indian defence sector.
Parrikar and Carter discussed the priorities for the coming year in defence ties, as well as specific steps both sides will take to pursue those priorities. Both sides agreed to encourage their respective defence industries to develop new partnerships in the pursuit of a range of cutting-edge projects.
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 of India.
Carter and Parrikar welcomed the finalization of four government-to-government project agreements in the area of science and technology cooperation: Atmospheric Sciences for High Energy Lasers, Cognitive Tools for Target Detection, Small Intelligent Unmanned Aerial Systems, and Blast and Blunt Traumatic Brain Injury.
After spending two days in Goa with Parrikar, Carter is currently in New Delhi as part of his ongoing visit to India from April 10-13, 2016. Carter also met the National Security Advisor and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the evening of April 12.
Carter is on an official visit to India at the invitation of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar who hosted Carter in Goa. They visited the Indian Naval Base in Karwar and the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier.
Bilateral Defence cooperation is a key component of the strategic partnership between India and the United States.
Before departing India, Carter will oversee a repatriation ceremony of U.S. World War II remains from India to the United States. Secretary Carter expressed his gratitude to Raksha Mantri Parrikar and the Government of India for their support in facilitating the recovery effort.
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 U.S. participation in the International Fleet Review of the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam in February 2016.
Carter’s visit marked the fourth meeting between him and Raksha Mantri Parrikar within a year, demonstrating the regular Ministerial-level oversight of the robust and deepening bilateral Defence relationship.
Carter and Parrikar reaffirmed the importance for 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.