NEW DELHI/VISHAKAPATNAM: U.S. Defence Secretary Ashton Carter will tomorrow sign a fresh 10-year defence framework agreement with India entailing joint development and manufacture of defence equipment and technology that is expected to help take strategic ties to new heights.
Carter, who arrived in the country on Tuesday on a three-day visit, began his tour with a trip to strategically important Eastern Naval Command in Vishakapatnam whose theatre of operation includes the critical South China sea region and the Strait of Malacca.
He will hold wide-ranging talks with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar tomorrow evening during which India-U.S. Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) will be a major area of focus, defence sources said.
The U.S. Defence Secretary will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi besides meeting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
"Carter's trip to India is part of his focus on the U.S. re-balance to Asia. Specifically, his trip to Vishakapatnam showcased his commitment to maritime security and the need for a regional security architecture that creates transparency and trust among regional partners," a statement by the U.S. Embassy said in New Delhi.
U.S. is in the process of re-balancing its naval assets into the Asia-Pacific and it is wooing India to be its partner in the region.
American navy plans to shift 60 percent of its maritime assets to the Pacific by 2020.
The American statement said the "positive momentum" in bilateral ties is especially tangible as Carter will sign the 2015 U.S.-India Defence Framework Agreement with Parrikar, which will help expand the defence relationship between the two countries.
The agreement, decided during the visit of U.S. President Barack Obama to India in January, will focus on issues ranging from maritime security, aircraft carrier to jet engine technology cooperation and joint training.
Carter is accompanied by his wife Stephanie and a 13-member U.S. delegation.
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