Defense tech & trade

Carter meeting Parrikar in New Delhi on December 8, 2016.

India and the United States are committed to explore new proposals and other innovative opportunities for co-production and co-development under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).

The emergence of DTTI as an integral and enduring component of India-U.S. security cooperation is a sign that the relationship between the two countries has matured to a level of strategic importance.

DTTI will strengthen India’s “Make in India” initiative and both sides committed to convening all new DTTI working groups prior to the next DTTI Group meeting anticipated for February 2017.

Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter agreed that the strong partnership between the two countries is lasting and will thrive and grow for decades to come.

During their meeting in New Delhi on December 8, Parrikar and Carter applauded the deepened scope of India-U.S. military-to-military ties, which includes a dramatic increase in defense trade.

The India-U.S. defense relations in recent years have moved along a remarkable upward trajectory.

Marked progress on agreements, including the signing of a Defense Framework Agreement in 2015, have laid a blueprint for collaboration between defense establishments and enabled deeper cooperation, said a joint statement issued after the meeting.

Joint exchange opportunities – in both personnel and training exercises – have expanded and strengthened bilateral cooperation.

The recent signing of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) has facilitated additional opportunities for practical engagement and exchange.

Parrikar and Carter have finalized India’s designation as a “Major Defense Partner” of the United States.

The designation as a “Major Defense Partner” is a status unique to India and institutionalizes the progress made to facilitate defense trade and technology sharing with India to a level at par with that of the United States’ closest allies and partners, and ensures enduring cooperation into the future. fii-news.com