US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter begins business leg of India trip

Goa, April 11: Visiting US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter kicked off his business leg of India trip with a visit to India's mighty aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya on Monday.

Carter who arrived in Goa yesterday had visited the Manguesh Temple and the tomb of St. Francis at the Basilica Bom Jesus situated in Old Goa area. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar accompanied Carter and later hosted him for a dinner.

On Monday morning, Parrikar and Carter arrived at the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka ahead of their visit onboard INS Vikramadirtya.

After formal meetings and lunch onboard INS Vikramadtiya, Carter is expected to take Parrikar onboard US 7th Fleet Ship USS Blue Ridge, which is berthed off Goa.

Carter's visit is seen as significant one by both Pentagon and Ministry of Defence. Interestingly ahead of Carter's visits a number of US-based defence companies expressed their willingness to work with Indian companies and propel the Narendra Modi government's Make in India mission ahead.

As reported by OneIndia earlier, US Lockheed Martin has offered to make the advanced F-16Vs in India.

With the prolonged Rafale deal still in a limbo, Carter is expected to push aggressively the renewed offers being made by the US firms in line with the Make in India mandate.

Soon after touching down in Goa yesterday, Carter said 'sharing technology' tops the agenda between the two countries. He had also stressed on the need for co-production, co-development, and technology-sharing.

A joint press meet is scheduled in Delhi tomorrow and the joint statement to be issued should set the tone for the road ahead for both nations.

"I've no doubt that in coming years, the United States and India will embark on a co-production agreement that will bring our two countries closer," Carter had said ahead of his India tour.

OneIndia News