Washington: The defense relationship between India and the US is intensifying and advancing in an exciting and exciting way amid the Pentagon’s transition from the Joe Biden administration to the administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
“The U.S.-India defense relationship stands on its own. It’s accelerating and moving forward in great and exciting ways, both related to defense industrial base cooperation and operational cooperation in services,” said Eli Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defense. Indo-Pacific Security Affairs said at a press conference held here.
“This (India-US defense relationship) is a continuous growth area, even as India-China relations wax and wane,” Ratner said in response to a question.
The US has rated India as a major defense partner. Biden administration officials have described the defense relationship as one of the key pillars of this relationship.
In October, India signed an agreement with the US for the purchase of 31 General Atomics MQ-9B (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) remotely piloted aircraft and their associated equipment, which will enhance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). ) capabilities of India’s armed forces in all sectors.
India and the US concluded the Security Supply Arrangement (SOSA) this year, increasing mutual supply of security goods and services.
At their meeting in September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Biden committed to advancing ongoing discussions to align their respective defense procurement systems to further enable mutual supply of defense goods and services.