The Indo-US agreements on defence cooperation announced by the two countries "promises to open a new chapter" in bilateral military ties and marks an "important milestone" in their strategic partnership, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel today said.
President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today broke a seven-year-old logjam in operationalising their landmark civil nuclear deal besides deciding to jointly produce military hardware including advanced unmanned aerial vehicles during their talks in New Delhi.
Hagel said: "By finalising the renewal of our 10-year framework for the US-India defence relationship, we will continue to build on the growing momentum in our defence cooperation over the last decade."
"This renewed framework will support stronger military-to- military engagement, including deeper maritime cooperation and increased opportunities in technology and trade," Hagel said in a statement.
He said: "By establishing a new military education partnership, we will help shape the next generation of military leaders in both our nations, fostering relationships that will draw our defence establishments closer together for years to come."
He said the agreements "promises to open a new chapter" in bilateral military ties and marks an "important milestone" in the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Hagel said by agreeing under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative to focus on four "pathfinder" projects, form a working group to explore aircraft carrier technology sharing and design, and explore possible cooperation on development of jet engine technology, the two countries will begin to realise the enormous potential of the US-India defence industrial partnership.
"We have further strengthened this partnership with an agreement that will allow us to continue science and technology collaboration for the next 15 years," said the outgoing Defence Secretary, who visited India within the first 100 days of the Modi government.
"Taken together, the President's announcements signal a new depth and sophistication in our defence and security cooperation, ensuring that it continues to be one of the strongest pillars of our nations' broad strategic partnership - a partnership that will help forge security and stability in Asia and across the globe," Hagel said.
