India, US decide to deepen defence, strategic relations

India and the US have decided to further deepen their military-to-military ties by participating in more bilateral exercises. The decision came during a meeting between Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his US counterpart Ashton Carter on Thursday.

Parrikar informed Carter about India’s decision to participate in the Rim-of-the-Pacific (RIMPAC) multilateral naval exercise in 2016. The Indian Air Force will also participate in the multilateral Red Flag exercise in April-May 2016, said a joint statement issued after the meeting between Carter and Parrikar at the Pentagon.

The Indian decision was welcomed by Carter who expressed support for greater Air-to-Air interaction in the future. Carter announced US participation in the International Fleet Review of the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam in February 2016.

India and the US have further ramped up their defence and strategic ties by agreeing to fast-track co-production ventures.

Parrikar said India and US share a strategic partnership that reflects their shared values and interests. Defence and security cooperation is a vital component of this partnership, he said. 

“The Indo-Asia-Pacific is one of the most consequential parts of the world for America’s future. And we welcome India’s rise as a security partner in a region where half of humanity lives, and half of the world’s economic activity takes place,” Carter told reporters at a joint news conference.