India-US Relationship Progressing in the Right Path says Pentagon
The Pentagon emphasized that the two countries are particularly focused on the interoperability between their defenses and that the US-India relationship is moving in the right direction
The Pentagon reiterated that the US-India relationship is moving in the right direction while noting that the two countries are particularly interested in interoperability between their militaries. The Ministry of External Affairs of India (MEA) website stated that the defense relationship has emerged as a significant pillar of the India-US strategic partnership. Currently, the two nations conduct more bilateral exercises with each other than they do with any other country. The total value of US Defense acquisitions has surpassed 13 billion USD.
At a news conference on Thursday, Pentagon spokesperson Air Force Brig. General Pat Ryder told reporters that the US-India relationship is one that the countries look forward to improving and is particularly focused on the interoperability between the two militaries. He also added that he believes the relationship is moving in the right direction. According to the MEA website, the US recognised India as a major defense partner during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to America in June 2016. This commits the country to facilitate technology sharing with India to a level corresponding with that of its closest allies and partners and industry collaboration for defense co-production and co-development.
Earlier this year, a senior Pentagon official noted that the relationship between India and the US today is more closely aligned than ever before while indicating that they are focused on the long game of establishing the partnership into the future and supporting India’s ability to shape a favorable power balance in the Indo-Pacific. The countries view the US-India partnership as pivotal to a free and open Indo-Pacific vision.
In addition to this, the US Defense Secretary expressed last month that both countries are positioning their militaries to operate and coordinate more closely than ever. Ties between the world’s two largest democracies, including military ties, are growing stronger, and the partnership is moving from strength to strength.
Mr. Lloyd Austin, US Defense Secretary, also stated that they are initiating significant steps to deepen defense cooperation, from stronger information sharing and military-industrial ties to cooperation in evolving defense domains, including through a new dialogue to be launched later this year.
