India and US to collaborate on aviation safety

India and the US Friday entered into an agreement to establish an aviation security equipment testing and evaluation programme as part of their strategic partnership.

The agreement was inked between the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)."The proposed programme, which would be the first security initiative under the U.S.-India Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP), will help AAI and BCAS develop clear standards, specifications and testing procedures that align with international systems that scan carry-on luggage, checked baggage and airline passengers," the USTDA said in a release here.

Aviation cooperation between India and the US is one of the core element of the India-US strategic partnership. The agreement was signed during the fifth annual India-US Strategic Dialogue which concluded here Thursday. 

“Adequate security procedures and equipment will help ensure the successful growth of Indian airports, especially those that cater to passengers traveling to destinations in the U.S. and Europe that require stringent security measures for inbound international flights," said Henry Steingass, regional director, USTDA. 

By 2020, India is expected to become one of the top three worldwide aviation markets, with a projected total traffic flow of more than 450 million passengers a year.