SOI signed for deliverables

India and US have signed a ‘Statement of Intent’ with respect to key deliverables in the near, medium and long terms during the 9th Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) meeting was held between the delegations of India and the United States in Delhi on 24 Oct 2019.

This will assist in bringing sustained focus on some of the projects and signal commitment of both sides towards continued collaboration on mutually beneficial issues, said the Defence Ministry.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary (Defence Production) Subhash Chandra said that while DTTI has been an ongoing process, both sides were now poised to actually achieve tangible outcomes.

“The shared values that form the bedrock of stable relations between the two sides have led to deepening of defence ties. The Indian Government remains committed to continually engage with the US government and facilitate cooperation between the defence industries of both nations,” he said.

The US National Defence Strategy envisages strengthening defence alliances and partnerships, added Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment of the United States Ellen M Lord.

“The DTTI has now matured enough where its varied activities could be translated into accomplishment.”

She added that the interface of the industry with DTTI would provide necessary fillip to various projects under consideration.

The meeting was co-chaired by Chandra and Lord.

These meetings are held to bring leadership focus to the bilateral defence trade relationship and create opportunities for co-production and co-development of defence equipment, said the Ministry.

The Joint Working Groups, established under DTTI to progress mutually agreed projects for the Armed Forces, provided status update during the meeting.

Engagement with the industry remains a key focus of DTTI for both the sides and measures to achieve this goal were also discussed, said the Ministry. fiinews.com