Indo US pact on Indian and Global security

 Indo US pact on Indian and Global security 

U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. Ashton Carter is on an official visit to India at the invitation of Raksha Mantri Shri Manohar Parrikar from April 10-13, 2016. Raksha Mantri hosted Secretary Carter in Goa. They visited the Indian Naval Base in Karwar and the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier. They also visited the USS Blue Ridge which was conducting a port call in Goa during the Secretary’s visit. 

Secretary Carter then traveled to New Delhi for official talks with Raksha Mantri. He will also meet the National Security Advisor and the Prime Minister. The United States and India share a deep and abiding interest in global peace, prosperity, and stability. 

Bilateral Defence cooperation is a key component of the strategic partnership between India and the United States.Secretary Carter’s visit marked the fourth meeting between him and Raksha Mantri Parrikar within a year, demonstrating the regular Ministerial-level oversight of the robust and deepening bilateral Defence relationship.

During their meeting, Raksha Mantri Parrikar and Secretary Carter reviewed the important steps taken since the signing of the new Framework for the U.S.-India Defense Relationship last June to deepen bilateral defence ties. They discussed the priorities for the coming year in defence ties, as well as specific steps both sides will take to pursue those priorities. 

These included expanding collaboration under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI); Make in India efforts of Government of India; new opportunities to deepen cooperation in maritime security and Maritime Domain Awareness; military-to-military relations; the knowledge partnership in the field of defence; and regional and international security matters of mutual interest.

Raksha Mantri Parrikar and Secretary Carter welcomed the efforts by the Indian and U.S. Armed Forces to further expand collaboration in the years to come. They welcomed plans across our Services for greater complexity in their military engagements and exercises, including developing plans for more advanced maritime exercises. 

Both sides acknowledged India's participation in the Rim-of-the-Pacific (RIMPAC) multilateral naval exercise in 2016 as well as participation by the Indian Air Force in the multilateral Red Flag exercise in April-May 2016 in Alaska and U.S. participation in the International Fleet Review of the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam in February 2016.

They expressed their desire to explore agreements which would facilitate further expansion of bilateral defence cooperation in practical ways. In this regard, they announced their in principle agreement to conclude a Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, and to continue working toward other facilitating agreements to enhance military cooperation and technology transfer.

In support of the India-U.S. Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region and the maritime security objectives therein, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the area of maritime security. In this context, they reaffirmed their desire to expeditiously conclude a “white shipping” technical arrangement to improve data sharing on commercial shipping traffic.

 They agreed to commence Navy-to-Navy discussions on submarine safety and anti-submarine warfare. They also agreed to launch a bilateral Maritime Security Dialogue, co-chaired by officials at the Joint Secretary/Assistant Secretary-level of the Indian Ministries of Defence and External Affairs and the U.S. Departments of Defense and State.

Secretary Carter and Raksha Mantri Parrikar reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region, including in the South China Sea. They vowed their support for a rules-based order and regional security architecture conducive to peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean, and emphasized their commitment to working together and with other nations to ensure the security and stability that have been beneficial to the Asia-Pacific for decades.

Raksha Mantri Parrikar and Secretary Carter reviewed the progress and reiterated their commitment to pursue co-development and co-production of advanced defence articles under the DTTI. In this context, they agreed to initiate two new DTTI pathfinder projects on Digital Helmet Mounted Displays and the Joint Biological Tactical Detection System. 

They commended the on-going discussions at the Jet Engine Technology Joint Working Group (JETJWG)and the Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation (JWGACTC). They agreed to work towards greater cooperation in the field of cutting-edge defence technologies, including deepening consultations on aircraft carrier design and operations, and jet engine technology. They noted the understanding reached to conclude an information exchange annex (IEA) to enhance data and information sharing specific to aircraft carriers.

With the aim of encouraging greater participation of U.S. Defence Industries in the Make In India program of the Government of India, Raksha Mantri Parrikar informed Secretary Carter about the recently announced Defence Procurement Policy and other reforms in the Indian defence sector. 

Both sides agreed to encourage their respective defence industries to develop new partnerships in the pursuit of a range of cutting-edge projects. In support of Make in India, the United States shared two proposals to bolster India's suite of fighter aircraft for consideration of the Government of India.

Secretary Carter and Raksha Mantri Parrikar welcomed the finalization of four government-to-government project agreements in the area of science and technology cooperation: Atmospheric Sciences for High Energy Lasers, Cognitive Tools for Target Detection, Small Intelligent Unmanned Aerial Systems, and Blast and Blunt Traumatic Brain Injury.

Before departing India, Secretary Carter will oversee a repatriation ceremony of U.S. World War II remains from India to the United States. Secretary Carter expressed his gratitude to Raksha Mantri Parrikar and the Government of India for their support in facilitating the recovery effort.

The Indian Government agreed to support America’s commitment to bringing its fallen personnel home and providing their families the fullest possible accounting, and looks forward to further humanitarian missions of this kind over the next few years to return the remains of these U.S. heroes to their families. 

Parrikar Statement on hosting US defense secretory

Ladies and gentlemen,

India and the United States are both strongly committed to a rule-based international order. We will continue to work together to maintain peace and stability and to maintain an enabling framework for progress and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.

It is the convergence of our core democratic values and deeply shared interests that drives our relationship forward. Secretary Carter’s visit has elevated our strategic partnership to a higher level. I look forward to working together with him in the days ahead to implement the decisions that we have reached during this visit. 

- PIB  

Carter meets top Indian command sets course for a strategic relationship

Carter visits Delhi sets tone for renewed partnership

    The visiting US defense Secretary Ashton Carter who toured India for two days met Indian delegates and defense officials in Delhi. Carter called on PM Narendra Modi, Raksha Mantri Manohar Parrikar, NSA Ajit Doval and EAM Sushma Swaraj and paved way for a more robust relationship between the countries. During the meet Parrikar and Carter discussed way to strength the strategic partnership the countries share. Carter and Parrikar signed the new framework for the bilateral defense and strategic partnership. The framework will be set the tone for the partnership for the next ten years, co-development and co-manufacturing figured mainly in the discussion. Carter also took forward the decision which the countries had made during US President Obama’s last visit to India. The deals will now be worked under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) frame work.

India and US also signed agreements for two ground breaking projects under which Mobile Electric Hybrid Power Sources and Protective Ensembles for the troops will be jointly developed. The nations also agreed to renew the help in development jet engines and Aircraft carrier technologies. Several key project details which could help encourage America to participate in ‘Make in India’ campaign were also discussed. America has been one of the strongest supporters for ‘Make in India’ campaign which promises to revolutionize the lacking defense industry. America is also India’s leading defense import partner and has been providing India with state-of-the art technologies over the years. The C-130J Hercules, C-17 Globemasters and the P-8I are some of the finest examples. 

    

 

Before arriving to Delhi, Carter landed in INS Dega, Vishakhapatnam. Carter was briefed about the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) operations. Carter’s visit to the Eastern sea board gains significance with America and India teaming up to challenge the aggressive Chinese in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. America has promised to provide India with advanced naval technologies to boost India’s operation under its ‘Act East’ policy. Carter was given a tour of INS Sahyadri, which is one of the most stealth enabled frigate operating under the Indian navy. Indian Officials discussed many things include major deals like EMALS and Joint engine production Technology, First day Carter Lands in the Naval base Vizag and met Eastern Naval Command Officials, and Mad a Tour inside INS Shaydri a Naval Frigate, Next day he went New Delhi and met Indian Defense Minister, Foreign Minister and National security Advisor, after a broad meeting with Indian Defense officials about Possible Developments future Indo-American relationship.

The battlefield operations and capabilities have received a major boost with India and US signing co-development of Mobile Electric Hybrid Power Sources. These hybrid mobile generators are used to power to the battlefield equipments. Indian armed forces were till date using BEL supplied power sources which on worked on conventional fuels. India and US will also develop a next generation protective ensembles which will be crucial in guarding soldiers from biological and chemical attacks. With this the front line soldiers can operate even in potential radioactive scenarios.  

The signed DTTI agreement promises to help improve the already ecstatic relationship further more with its flexible export rules. The DTTI will be the basic framework for US-India to share a platform for the co-developing technologies. DTTI is poised to be a major contributor to India’s ambitious ‘Make in India’ campaign. DTTI also promises to help India evolve as a leading ‘exporter’ by mastering technologies. Carter was instrumental in materializing DTTI, during his tenure as the Deputy Secretary of Defence Carter had sighted India’s growing and rapidly modernizing Indian defence market. The cumbersome process of ToT under which India has signed several deals will now be made easier under DTTI. More G-G deal can be seen, with India-America countering a common threat in the Asia-Pacific region a stronger relationship is guaranteed.    

Carter took forward the key pathfinder projects India-America had agreed to work upon jointly paving way for more advanced and robust technologies. 

         

USA had agreed to help India develop hot engines which are apt for operations in the subcontinent conditions. India had earlier constituted the Kaveri engine project which was slated to power the LAC. But the project was curtailed after finding the program economically unviable for the LCA project. The ground was conceived for powering the more powerful AMCA project. USA has now come forward to assist India in developing a hot engine based on the GE supplied engines. USA will now assist India in developing the GE F404 turbo fan jet engines in India which are currently powering the LCA project. US will also help India produce more powerful jet engines that can power the Tejas MK2 and can also serve as a benchmark for the under development AMCA project. US will sell India a few engines off the shelves and the rest will be manufactured in India.

           

India boosts one of the biggest navies which is in the transition from a regional navy to a blue water navy. With America supporting India in materializing its ‘Act East’ policy, a key part of it would be to help India modernize its navy. America also has realized that the only regional power to check China in its track would be India and India alone. Displaying its trust in India, America has offered the most advanced Electro Magnetic Aircraft Launch Technology (EMALS) to India. EMALS is being currently inducted on the new USS Gerald R Ford class carriers. Indian navy operates STOBAR configuration carriers with which the launch capability is greatly compromised. EMALS will help in launching heavier aircraft with and will be the first flat top carrier of the Indian navy. EMALS is an extremely costly initial investment technology but will be extremely cost effective for operations. Compared to the traditional steam powered catapults the EMALS can launch heavier aircraft more swiftly and with minimal stress on the air frame. India is in the final stages of finalizing designs for IAC-II and will now officially approach USA for the EMALS technology if it chooses for a flat top carrier. Carter also announced that a US team charged with Carrier design would be visiting Delhi in the near future to conduct conclusive talks about the deal.

          

India has also shown interest in acquiring two Raytheon Sentential Aircrafts for ISTAR(Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance ) missions. ARC currently operates ISTAR aircraft based on Bombardier platform which were redesigned in Israel. India had shown in these aircraft way back in 2011 but a deal was not conceived. The then government had decided to acquire these platforms with the help of Israeli’s. The ISTAR aircraft are an integral part of armed forces. These aircraft will help in pinpoint analysis of enemy location. Britain had used these aircraft to track down the children Boko Haram militants had taken hostage in Nigeria. Further progress in this deal is awaited and be declared in the coming days.       

    

   


Editor – Karthik Kakoor