Biden administration wants to continue to deepen defence cooperation with India: US official
- IBEF
- February 3, 2021
Under the administration led by President, Mr. Joe Biden, the security relations and cooperation of the United States with India will continue to strengthen, a top US official said on Tuesday, citing shared interests.
US Air Force Deputy Undersecretary, International Affairs, Ms. Kelli L Seybolt stated that India's declaration as a major U.S. defence partner was a major achievement under the prior administration, and we want to continue to deepen our collaboration.
She added that the strengthening deepening of collaboration will only continue because "there is so much common interests in doing so, as we all look for secure and free Indo-Pacific".
She said, “So our hope is that things will continue to improve in our defence ties and relationships, and we will work closer together.... The good proof of this is that the first call from Secretary of Defence Mr. Austin (Lloyd J Austin III) was to his counterpart in India (Defence Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh).”
A high-level committee of US government officials and members of the defence industry will participate in Wednesday's Aero India 2021, the country's premier defence and aerospace showcase.
A B-1B Lancer heavy bomber, of the 28th Bomb Wing based at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, will conduct a fly-by, among the highlights of the exhibition. US Charged' Affaires Mr. Don Heflin said, The familiarity, compatibility and interoperability between the two nations' armed forces is deepening.”
He said, “India plays a significant role in the Indo-Pacific region and our cooperation advances our common vision of a rules-based international order that promotes the stability and security of all countries. The United States is a trustworthy partner to India's defence sector, providing the best defence equipment in the world.”
He further said, “The US recognises that India needs more of its military equipment to be made. As this phase unfolds, we recognise that, and look forward to a growing collaboration in this endeavour, India would need to build some key skills broadly, with careful use of outside procurement. Also, India-US defence alliance goes beyond defence manufacturing and trade. We have also signed standard defence agreements and our military is engaged in joint exercises such as "Tiger Triumph" and "Malabar".
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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