WASHINGTON – India is the “biggest strategic opportunity” for the US withNew Delhi showing more openness to strengthen bilateral security ties, atop Pentagon commander has said, underlining a mutual desire for globalstability and support for the rules-based international order.
Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the US Pacific Command also told membersof the Senate Armed Services Committee, that the Quad, comprising India,US, Japan and Australia – is an important idea of like-minded nations thatcan go after the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
In his prepared testimony, Harris said the US and India are naturalpartners on a range of political, economic, and security issues. “I thinkIndia is the biggest strategic opportunity for the US. We share democraticvalues, we share the same concerns, and we operate more frequently in theIndo-Pacific region together,” Harris said.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said with a mutual desire for global stability and support for therules-based international order, the US and India have an increasingconvergence of interests, including maritime security and domain awareness,counter-piracy, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and coordinatedresponses to natural disasters and transnational threats.
Noting that India will be among the US’ most significant partners in theyears to come due to its growing influence and expanding military, Harrissaid as a new generation of political leaders emerge, India has shown thatit is more open to strengthening security ties with the US and adjustingits historic policy of non-alignment to address common strategic interests.
Harris’ comments came amid China flexing muscles in the East and SouthChina seas. The US has been sending its navy warships in the disputed SouthChina Sea as part of its “freedom of navigation” operation, which evokedstrong protests from China.
Harris said the US seeks an enduring, regular, routine andinstitutionalised strategic partnership with India and the Pacific Commandidentifies a security relationship with India as a major commandline-of-effort. Over the past year, US and Indian militaries participatedtogether in three major exercises, executed more than 50 other militaryexchanges, and operationalized the 2016 Logistics Exchange Memorandum ofAgreement (LEMOA).
He said defence sales are at an all-time high with India operatingUS-sourced airframes, such as P-8s, C-130Js, C-17s, AH-64s, and CH-47s, andM777 howitzers. The Pacific Command, he said, will sustain the momentum ofthe strategic relationship generated by the President-Prime Minister-levelmeeting and the emerging 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue through strengtheningtheir military-to-military relationship and working toward additionalenabling agreements to enhance interoperability.
“At the moment, India is considering a number of US systems for purchase,all of which Pacific Command fully supports: the F-16 for India’s largesingle-engine, multi-role fighter acquisition program; the F/A-18E forIndia’s multi-engine, carried-based fighter purchase; a reorder of 12-15P-8Is; a potential purchase of SeaGuardian UAS; MH-60R multi-role sea-basedhelicopter; and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter,” Harris said.
Responding to a question on Quad from Senator Tim Kaine, who was the 2016Democratic vice-presidential nominee, he said “I think the Quad is animportant construct of like-minded nations that can go after the challengesthat are in the Indo-Pacific region. So that’s Japan, the United States,Australia, and India…The Quad is an idea. It’s not rigid. It is notexclusive.”
“I think the Quad is an idea, and it’s an important idea that I think thecountries are starting to get their arms around, including the US. ButIndia presents a great opportunity for us, and I think we present a greatopportunity for India,” Harris said.