India and the US will discuss the entire gamut of bilateral Defence ties during Defence Secretary Ashton Carter’s talks with his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar during three-day visit starting Sunday. The two Ministers will also take stock of situation in the Indian subcontinent with specific reference to terrorism and scenario in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Carter is also expected to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Tuesday.
The US has emerged as the biggest Defence equipment supplier to India in the last few years with contracts worth over $10 billion. These include C-130J medium lift transport aircraft and C-17 heavy lift aircraft for the IAF besides P-8I long range maritime aircraft for the Navy. Washington is keen to enhance this relationship by setting up Defence manufacturing units here under the ‘Make in India’ policy and the two sides will hold detailed discussions in this regard, officials said here on Sunday.
The two countries will also talk on three contentious issues including proposed logistical Supply Agreement (lSA), Communication Inter-Operability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) and Basic Exchange and Co-Operation Agreement (BEKA). While lSA pertains to armed forces of the two countries using each other’s air bases and sea ports for replenishing and refueling its aircraft, warships and submarines, CISMOA deals with sharing of technology and communications of advanced weapon systems. Sharing of map data and satellite imagery covers BEKA.
India, so far, has refrained from inking these pacts due to its strategic concerns and political compulsions. The two sides may decide to continue the dialogue to reach an agreement on these issues during Parrikar-Carter talks. Incidentally, Parrikar had visited the US last year for annual Defence dialogue with Carter.
Despite India not ready to sign the three agreements in near future, the defence ties have grown over the years and the two countries also instituted a Defence Technology and Trade Initiative(DTTI). It deals with transferring of technology to Indian defence industries under the ‘Make in India’ policy and representatives from two sides have met here and in Washington to identify key projects for such collaboration.
Meanwhile, a US embassy communiqué said here Carter will depart Washington on Saturday on a two-week travel to the Asia-Pacific region followed by the Middle East to advance two of his key international priorities: solidifying the rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region and accelerating the lasting defeat of ISIl.
First in the Asia-Pacific, in both India and the Philippines, Secretary Carter will advance the United States growing security where we are developing new partnerships and modernizing long-standing alliances. In India, Carter will visit both Goa and New Delhi as the host of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, it said.