US, India agree on roadmap for defense industry cooperation

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on June 5.

Reuters reported that the roadmap for defense industry cooperation was agreed upon during a meeting between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on June 5.

The agreement comes ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Washington DC on June 22 for a state visit and talks with US President Joe Biden.

The roadmap is seen as important as Washington maintains tight control over what domestic military technologies can be shared or sold to other countries.

The Indian defence ministry statement said the discussions between Mr Singh and Mr Austin “focused specifically on identifying ways to enhance industrial cooperation”.

“Both sides will identify opportunities for cooperation in the development of new technologies as well as co-production of existing and new systems, and facilitate increased cooperation between the two countries’ defense start-up ecosystems,” the statement said.

"Towards these goals, the two sides have agreed on a roadmap for US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation that will help guide policy over the next few years," the Indian Ministry of Defence said.

The United States is working to strengthen ties with India, seeing closer technological and military ties with the world's most populous country as a key counterweight to China's expanding influence in the region, according to Reuters.

India, the world's largest arms importer, relies on Russia for about 50% of its military equipment supplies, but is increasingly diversifying its sources by buying from the United States, France, Israel and several other countries.

New Delhi also wants global defence manufacturers to partner with Indian companies, manufacturing weapons and military equipment in India for domestic consumption as well as exports.

The Biden administration is set to sign a deal that would allow General Electric to manufacture aircraft engines in India for the country's military aircraft.

Secretary Austin said he and Secretary Singh discussed ways to enhance information sharing as well as new initiatives to improve maritime cooperation, including in the undersea domain.

The Pentagon chief told reporters that the US-India defense partnership is important because “we face a rapidly changing world,” citing the actions of China and Russia.

“So democracies must now come together not just for our common good but for our common values,” Mr Austin said.

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