U.S. Seeks Pathfinder Projects To Boost Defence Ties With India

One of such project could be armed drones or unmanned aerial vehicles, which the U.S. so far has been reluctant to share with any other country.

Even in his letter, Kendall acknowledged that the current projects identified under DTTI "represent the modest beginning" of a relationship that they expect to grow and deepen in the months and years ahead.

Noting that the DTTI aims to strengthen defence co-operation between India and the U.S. by elevating it to the most senior levels, Kendall asserted that the two countries are "off to a good" start.

In January this year, India and the U.S. had announced four projects for co-development and co-production. These include the next-generation Raven unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), "roll-on, roll-off" intelligence-gathering and reconnaissance modules for C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, mobile electric hybrid power sources and "uniform integrated protection ensemble increment-2 (chemical, biological warfare protection gear for soldiers)".

READ MORE: NASA, USAID Launch Environmental Information Hub and Lack of Incentive Schemes to Blame for 70pct Vacancy in ED