Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s official state visit to the US, officials from the two countries intensified their discussions on joint production of jet engines, long-range artillery and infantry vehicles under the Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).
India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and US NSA Jake Sullivan launched iCET earlier this year.
This was done at the behest of US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, after their meeting in Tokyo in May 2022, announced the enhancement and expansion of the strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses and academic institutions of the two countries.
In a meeting with Indian Defense Minister Giridhar Araman at the Pentagon, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks described proposals to co-produce jet engines, long-range artillery and infantry vehicles under iCET as “unprecedented opportunities” to strengthen ties between defense sectors. the two nations.
Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said the two officials discussed priorities for strengthening the US-India defense partnership, including increasing defense industry cooperation and operational cooperation.
Hicks emphasized the importance of the US-India relationship as critical to promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. She also reiterated the importance of deepening military-to-military relations between the two nations as the technological partnership grows, Pahon added.
Hicks and Aramane reiterated US support for India’s defense modernization goals, including increased investment in Indian domestic manufacturing, and welcomed the upcoming launch of INDUS-X ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United States in June.
They also highlighted its value as an opportunity to foster partnerships between the two countries’ defense innovation ecosystems.
A day earlier, the two officials jointly chaired the 17th US-India Defense Group meeting.
The dialogue advanced an ambitious agenda — including industrial cooperation, information sharing, maritime security and technology cooperation — that reflects the strong and comprehensive defense ties between the United States and India, said Defense Department spokesman Lt. Col. David Herndon.
“Leaders exchanged views on shared priorities in the Indian Ocean region and aligning the US-India partnership with other like-minded partnerships to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“The leaders reinforced their commitment to enhance cooperation and interoperability between the US and Indian militaries to work together in all areas and across all services,” the spokesman added.
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