India and the US on Sunday renewed a significant pact to deepen cooperation in several security-related areas and concluded talks on co-production and co-development of four types of systems.
In a joint press conference with US President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “We have also decided to take our growing defence cooperation to a new level. We have agreed, in principle, to pursue co-development and co-production of specific advanced defence projects… We have renewed our defence framework agreement.”
He said this would help upgrade the country’s domestic defence industry and expand the manufacturing sector in India.
The year defence framework agreement has been renewed for 10 years. The agreement, signed in June 2005, led to some major weapon sales to India, deepened military-to-military engagements, bolstered technical cooperation and strengthened the overall strategic partnership.
Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh said India and US also identified four key “pathfinder projects” for joint development and production under the
Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI).
She identified them as next generation Raven Minis UAVs, roll on and roll off kits for C-130 and mobile electric hybrid power source. India and US have also formed a working group to explore developing technology for aircraft carriers and jet engines, she added. HT was the first to report India and US would conclude talks on these deals during Obama’s visit.
Obama said, “We agreed to deepen our defence and security cooperation.... And defence technology and trade initiative will allow us to jointly develop and produce defence technologies.”
{{/usCountry}}Obama said, “We agreed to deepen our defence and security cooperation.... And defence technology and trade initiative will allow us to jointly develop and produce defence technologies.”
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