India and US on Wednesday inked the second ten-year Defence Framework Agreement to further strengthen strategic and Defence ties between the two nations. They also agreed to jointly develop and manufacture Mobile Electric Hybrid Power Sources and the Next Generation Protective Ensembles (suites) to shield soldiers from radiation in case of nuclear or biological warfare.
These two agreements were signed by visiting US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter and his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar after nearly two hours of one on one and delegation level talks. The two Ministers also decided to expedite discussions on co-operation in manufacturing fighter jet engines and aircraft carriers in India in joint collaboration.
As regards the Defence Framework Agreement, the first pact was signed by then Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his US counterpart Donald Rumsfeld in 2005. This overarching Agreement lays down the path for the two countries to bolster ties through joint production of weapon systems and trade related to it besides joint exercises and sharing information on Defence matters of mutual interest.
The tenure of the Agreement was coming to end shortly and US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to renew the second Agreement during Obama’s visit to New Delhi in January this year. The new Framework agreement provides avenues for high level strategic discussions, continued exchanges between armed forces of both countries, and strengthening of defence capabilities, officials said after the meeting between the two leaders.
The Framework Agreement also recognizes the transformative nature of the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI). Both India and the United States have finalised two project agreements for joint development of Mobile Electric Hybrid Power Sources and the Next Generation Protective Ensembles under the DTTI. It aims at increasing defence trade between the two countries through joint manufacturing of sophisticated weapon systems in India under the ‘Make in India’ policy.
During Obama’s visit, both countries had identified four “pathfinder projects” under DTTI including the Raven mini unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), “roll-on, roll-off” mission modules for C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, mobile electric hybrid power sources, and chemical-biological warfare protection suite for soldiers.
Meanwhile, Carter called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and discussed ways to enhance strategic and defence interest.
Describing India as an “important strategic partner”, the US on Wednesday said it was encouraging its companies to set up manufacturing units in India with transfer of technology.
This was stated by US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter when he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister said the two Summit meetings between him and US President Barack Obama over the past year have provided new energy and momentum to the bilateral relations, a PMO statement said.
Modi expressed satisfaction at the implementation of the decisions taken during these Summit meetings.
He expressed the hope that the US companies, including those in defence manufacturing sector, would actively participate in the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative and set up manufacturing units in India with transfer of technology and link to the global supply chain.
Carter said the US authorities were committed to the expeditious implementation of the decisions reached between the two top leaders.