Carter, Parrikar reaffirm deeper Indo-US defence ties

New Delhi, June 03: India and the United States reaffirmed their cooperation in the field of defence sector during the official visit of US Secretary of Defence Dr Ashton Carter in the capital today.

He touched down in Delhi after visiting the Eastern Naval Command.

Dr Carter called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and later called on Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, with whom he held delegation level talks. Indian Defence Secretary Mohan Kumar was present during the delegation-level talks.

The visiting Defence Secretary also met the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Ministry of Defence sources said that Parrikar and Dr Carter discussed Indo-US defence relationship, and the broader Indo-US strategic partnership.

"Both have reaffirmed their commitment to expand and deepen the bilateral defence relationship. The two also reviewed the existing and emerging regional security dynamics," MoD Spokesperson said.

Parrikar and Dr Carter also signed the 2015 framework for the ‘Indo-US Defence Relationship' on the occasion.

The framework recognizes the transformative nature of the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI). Both India and the US have finalised two project agreements for joint development of Mobile Electric Hybrid Power Sources and the Next Generation Protective Ensembles.

The framework aims at building upon the previous agreement on bilateral defence and strategic partnership for the next 10 years.

"The new framework agreement provides avenues for high level strategic discussions, continued exchanges between armed forces of both countries, and strengthening of defence capabilities," an MoD official said.

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