The US, Tellis suggested, should consider changes to current US policy to allow for discussions about nuclear propulsion technology to make the integration of EMALS technology a viable option for India's next-generation carrier.

It should also support a partnership between the Indian Navy and the US Naval Sea Systems Command, and US private industry to validate the vessel's engineering and production designs as also coordinate on sea trials prior to commissioning the ship.

Washington should also "encourage the conclusion of consulting contracts and memoranda of understanding between Indian shipyards and US industry to assist India in incorporating advanced construction techniques when building its new large-deck carriers," Tellis wrote.

"The prospect of a major Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean transforms India's hitherto secure rear into a springboard from which coercive power can be brought to bear against the Indian landmass," he said.

Thus "the principal objective underlying bilateral cooperation should be to ensure that India's next-generation aircraft carrier-to include its air wing and its capacity for combat operations-will be superior to its Chinese counterparts," Tellis said.

Though cooperation on the fight, move, and integrate functions is likely to be most indispensable and rewarding, joint development should in principle span all the mission areas involved in carrier design, he said.

"Above all else, the Indian Navy should not succumb to the temptation to make collaborative development merely an exercise in procuring technology," Tellis wrote.
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