During his recent visit to a leading American naval surface warfare facility in Maryland on Saturday. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that India and the United States (US) are keen to collaborate and exchange knowledge based on their experiences.
Singh, who is currently on a four-day official visit to the United States (US) to strengthen the comprehensive global strategic partnership between the two countries, posted on X, shared his experience about mutual experience and collaboration.
Meeting with the US’s National Security Advisor
During his visit, Singh also met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, as reported by news agency PTI.
Lloyd Austin expressed his appreciation for the growing momentum in US-India relations during his meeting with Singh.
He noted the increased collaboration on defense matters including efforts to fortify critical supply chains and improve the interoperability of the two nations’ armed forces.
Austin stated that both India and the US share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, with their defense cooperation becoming increasingly robust.
He mentioned that they are expanding their defense industrial ties working towards co-producing more capabilities and enhancing the resilience of supply chains.
Austin also emphasized the growing cooperation across all domains, highlighting India’s participation in this summer’s Rim of Pacific, a large-scale exercise led by the US Navy in Hawaii, involving 29 partner nations.
He also acknowledged the Indian Navy’s significant role as a key security provider in the Indian Ocean.
Strengthening Naval Cooperation
Austin noted that the Indian sailors have played a crucial role in assisting the mariners in distress and safeguarding global commerce.
He reaffirmed the commitment to deepening naval cooperation, enhancing global cooperation on unmanned technology, and strengthening awareness in the undersea domain.
Singh added that the growing partnership between India and the US encompasses all of the areas of human endeavors.
The defense minister emphasized strong people-to-people connections, shared democratic values, and the alignment of interests between the US and India on a range of issues.
The meeting took place following the finalization of an agreement designed to address the unexpected supply chain challenges to meet national security needs.
Key Defense Supply Agreement
Through the non-binding security of supply arrangement, the US and India have agreed to focus on providing support for goods and services that strengthen national defense.
Vic Ramdass, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Industrial base Policy noted that this arrangement marks a crucial development in the US-India major defense partner relationship and will play a significant role in strengthening the US-India defense technology and trade initiative, which will focus on deepening cooperation between the two nations’ defense industrial bases in advancing joint efforts in co-development,co-production, and co-sustainment.
Major Military Sale Approved
Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has approved a potential foreign military sale to India, which includes Anto submarine Warfare Sonobuouys and associate equipment,with an estimated cost of USD 52.8 million,
On Friday, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency sent the necessary certification to Congress regarding this potential sale.
India has also requested to purchase AN/SSQ-54G High Altitude Anti Submarine Warfare sonobuoys, AN/SSQ-36 Sonobuouys as well as technical publications data documentation, engineering and technical support from the US government and contractors, and other logistics and program services.
The proposed sale aims to bolster US-India strategic ties and will contribute to US foreign policy and national security goals.
The sale aims to strengthen India’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, particularly for its MH-60R helicopters, allowing it to better address both current and future threats.
Integrating the equipment into India’s armed forces is expected to be straightforward. The sale will not disrupt the regional military balance.
Sparton Corporation and Undersea Sensor Systems Inc. (USSI) will be the main contractors. No offset agreements are proposed, and the sale will not require additional US government or contractor presence in India.
The implementation of this sale will not negatively impact US defense readiness.
