Date : 16/06/2023

Relevance : GS Paper 2 : Bilateral relations

Main Points : Strategic cooperation, Critical Technology, Indus X

Context -

The recent visit of United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin to India has set the stage for significant advancements in the U.S.-India defence relationship. The visit focused on strengthening military cooperation and promoting technological innovation.

1. Roadmap for Defence Industrial Cooperation:

• An agreement was reached on a road map for defence industrial cooperation, aligned with the U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).
• The road map aims to enhance defence manufacturing in India through increased technological cooperation, supporting India's self-reliance goals and reducing import dependence.

2. Expediting Co-development and Co-production:

• The establishment of the road map marks a significant step towards strengthening the bilateral defence relationship.
• It seeks to expedite crucial co-development and co-production initiatives, fostering closer connections between the defence sectors of the United States and India.

3. Indus-X: Fuelling Defence Innovation Engagement:

• The launch of the Indus-X initiative further bolsters defence innovation engagement between the two countries. Building upon the bilateral Space Situational Awareness arrangement signed in 2022, Indus-X aims to enhance information-sharing and cooperation in the space sector.
• This initiative opens new avenues for collaboration in defence space exchanges.

4. Strengthening the Indo-Pacific Imperative:

• The U.S. Defence Secretary has emphasized the critical role of the U.S.-India defence partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Shared threat assessments point to China as a common challenge, given its coercive actions and growing naval capabilities. The partnership assumes greater significance in countering these challenges and maintaining regional stability.

5. Broader Industrial Cooperation:

• The existing scale of American investments in India provides a solid foundation for expanding industrial cooperation between Indian and U.S. companies in the defence sector.
• The U.S. government's support for India's defence modernization aims to nurture joint ventures, enhance U.S. participation in Indian defence manufacturing, and address existing obstacles in co-development and co-production.

Overcoming Challenges:

• While the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) has faced criticism for bureaucratic hurdles and technology transfer complexities, recent developments offer promise.
• The elevation of the India-U.S. strategic partnership through the iCET agreement rejuvenates the DTTI and provides specific momentum for co-production and co-development in the defence sector.

Conclusion:

Secretary Austin's visit to India has paved the way for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's forthcoming state visit to the U.S., where major announcements in defence cooperation are anticipated. The evolving U.S.-India defence partnership, underpinned by shared democratic values, holds immense potential to contribute to regional stability and propel both nations towards mutual growth and progress.

Source: The Hindu