US Defense Secretary Austin and Admiral Aquilino emphasized India's need to enhance military capabilities, deepen cooperation in operational activities, and launch INDUS-X, paving the way for US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation in 2023.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the importance of bolstering the Indian military's capabilities during a recent testimony to lawmakers. He highlighted that enhancing India's military strength is crucial for maintaining a stable balance of power in the wider Indo-Pacific region. Austin also underscored the deepening cooperation between the US and India in various operational activities, particularly maritime security within the Indian Ocean.

Secretary Austin emphasized that the collaboration with India to enhance its military capabilities aims to foster a more stable balance of power across the broader Indo-Pacific region. This statement was made during the Congressional hearing on the Department of Defense's annual budget. He further emphasized the commencement of a new phase in US-India relations under the Major Defense Partnership, as reflected in the budget request.

Moreover, Secretary Austin outlined the intensified joint exercises, information-sharing, and operational endeavors between the US and Indian militaries to bolster maritime security in the Indian Ocean. He reiterated the commitment to leveraging the growing US-India partnership to support the broader network of allies and partners, including the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue involving Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.

In a separate Congressional hearing focusing on the Indo-Pacific region, Admiral John C Aquilino, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, echoed the sentiment that a robust US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is essential for maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. Highlighting recent initiatives, Admiral Aquilino mentioned the launch of INDUS-X and the roadmap for US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation in 2023, which aim to enhance bilateral defense industrial cooperation and innovation. He cited the proposed deal between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the domestic production of F-414 jet engines as a significant step in this direction.

Furthermore, Admiral Aquilino emphasized the unprecedented levels of interoperability the US and India sought, particularly in the air domain through engagements like AERO INDIA and COPE INDIA and in the land domain through exercises like TIGER TRIUMPH. He also highlighted efforts under the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) to deepen cooperation and enable more flexible engagements in the Indian Ocean region, including US ship repair in Indian shipyards.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Admiral John C Aquilino underscored the importance of enhancing the US-India defense partnership to maintain stability and uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific. Through joint exercises, information-sharing, and operational activities, the two nations aim to bolster maritime security, deepen defense industrial cooperation, and achieve unprecedented levels of interoperability.