U.S. Hopes To Ink Defence Pact With India Ahead Of Modi Visit

"India went from seeing Russia as its primary defence partner to diversifying its suppliers, and from a limited defence relationship with the United States to one in which it exercises more with US forces than with any other country," Ayres said.

"India recently participated in this year's Red Flag held in Alaska, took part in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) last year, and will do so again this year," she said.

Sadanand Dhume of American Enterprise Institute said despite occasional hiccups, US-India ties have witnessed a steady upward trajectory since the late 1990s.

India conducts more military exercises with the US than with any other country.

Over the past 10 years, total US defence sales to India have grown from USD 300 million to approximately USD 14 billion.

India now has 10 heavy lift C-17s, the largest fleet outside the US, he said.

"Military exercises are also growing in complexity. Last year, Japan joined the US-India Malabar naval exercises as a permanent member. Since 2012, India has also participated in PACOM's Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise," Dhume said.

"Thanks in large part to the efforts of Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, the Defence Technology and Trade initiative also shows promise as the two countries move toward co-production and co-development on six projects spanning protective clothing for soldiers to aircraft carriers," Dhume said.
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India and the United States are on the cusp of an era where the militaries of the two countries could see joint or coordinated actions across the Indo-Pacific, Biswal said.

"We are, I believe, on the cusp of an era where we could well see the US and India doing joint or coordinated operation across the Indo Pacific," she said.

"We believe that India has an important role to play as a net security provider and as a guarantor of an open and rules based maritime order across the Indo-Pacific," she said in response to a question from Senator Marco Rubio, the former Republican presidential aspirant.

Biswal said of late there has been an "increase" and "dramatic scale up" of India-Japan ties.

On the economic side, Japan has announced a major USD 100 billion investment in the Mumbai Delhi corridor.

"We are also seeing increased co-operation on India Japan defense side," she said, adding that the three countries are looking to enhance their cooperation in other areas like disaster relief and other platforms where the US, India and Japan can really advance a joint effort.

Biswal said India US co-operation in the field of counter-terrorism is growing along the lines of strategic and defense partnership.

"We have a very robust cooperation with India on counter terrorism that includes information and intelligence sharing, includes the sharing of tools and best practices so that we can enhance the capabilities to combat terrorism and violent extremism," she said.

India, Biswal said, has been a strong partner in combating terrorism financing.

"We believe that the potential for greater cooperation is there," she said.

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