‘India to access 99% of US defence tech’

WASHINGTON: India will be the only country outside US’ formal treaty allies that will gain access to almost 99% of its defence technologies after being recognised

WASHINGTON: India will be the only country outside US’ formal treaty allies that will gain access to almost 99% of its defence technologies after being recognised as a ‘Major Defence Partner ’, a senior Obama administration official said.

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“India enjoys access to (defence) technologies that is on par with our treaty allies. That is a very unique status. India is the only other country that enjoys that status outside our formal treaty allies ,” the official told PTI, explaining what ‘Major Defence Partner’ status means for India.

Early this month, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, the US, in a joint statement, recognised India as a‘ Major Defence Partner’.

“We were looking for something unique. This language you would not find in any arms transfer legislation oran yo four existing policies. This is new guidance and new language that is intended to reflect the unique things that we have done with India under our defence partnership ,” the official said.

“This is intended to solidify the India-specific forward leaning policies for approval that the President and( defence) secretary (Ashton) Carter... and our export control system have implemented in last eight years,” the official added.