 "US-India to sign defence framework: What do we know?")
A senior White House official has said that US and India are set to sign a new defence framework.
The development comes in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day trip to the United States.
Modi is set to hold bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC.
But what do we know about the defence framework? And what about the previous defence framework?
Let’s take a closer look:
What do we know?
CNBC quoted an unnamed senior White House official as saying India and the US will be signing a new defence framework.
The outlet reported that the talks on new defence procurements from India have been positive thus far.
They are expected to bring down trade deficit
ET Now quoted the official as saying that the US would look to build on arms sales to India.
Modi and Trump will discuss how to further the relationship – which will create stability and peace across the Indo-Pacific.
The official said cooperation between the two countries on Chinese security issues is expected to continue.
India and the US have agreed to create a new defence cooperation framework to enhance collaboration over the next decade. In a phone conversation, Defence Ministers Rajnath Singh and US Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed expanding ties in areas like technology sharing and military exercises. They emphasized deepening defence industry partnerships and enhancing interoperability between the two nations.
Economic Times last week reported that India and the US had decided to draft a new defence framework – which was discussed in a call between defence minister Rajnath Singh and his US counterpart Pete Hegseth.
The framework could include a contract for fighter jet engine technology as well as talks about procurement of US weapon systems like P 8I maritime aircraft and military transport craft.
“The two ministers reviewed the extensive India-US defence cooperation activities covering multiple domains in land, air, maritime and space,” an official told the outlet.
The two ministers appreciated the “ongoing and remarkable expansion of the bilateral defence partnership” and agreed to cooperate on technology and integration of defence industrial supply chains.
“The two Ministers reviewed the extensive India-US defence cooperation activities covering multiple domains in land, air, maritime and space. They appreciated the ongoing and remarkable expansion of the bilateral defence partnership, and reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the ties,” the Ministry said in a statement as per The Hindu.
“I look forward to holding the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue and concluding the next ten-year U.S.-India Defence Framework this year,” Hegseth was quoted as saying by Financial Express.
Sources told ABP Live that Washington is keen to “review and renew” the Comprehensive Framework on Defence Cooperation with New Delhi.
The framework will remain in effect till 2035.
Lisa Curtis, senior fellow and director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), told News18 that this would be a very positive move.
“This is an opportunity to show the long-term interests that both countries have in building this relationship,” Curtis said. “This will show the strategic commitment that both sides have to the relationship and be able to talk about the future of the defence partnership, what that means for the Indo-pacific region and establishing peace and security and deterrence.”
What about the earlier defence framework?
The United States and India first signed a defence framework in 2005.
It was entitled the New Framework for the India-US Defence Relationship.
It was renewed for 10 years in 2015 after then-President Obama travelled to India as Chief Guest for India’s 66th Republic Day Celebrations during Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’s first term.
This resulted in the two countries agreeing to four pathfinder projects under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).
The countries also agreed to cooperate on aircraft carriers and jet engine technology.
The framework laid out a joint strategic vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region – which affirmed the shared vision for promising prosperity and stability in the region.
In 2016, the defence relationship was designated as a Major Defence Partnership (MDP).
On 30 July 2018, India was moved into the Tier-1 of the US Department of Commerce’s Strategic Trade Authorization license exception.
With inputs from agencies
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