*Washington: *
Ahead of the ninth India-US Defence Technologies and Trade Initiative orDTTI group meeting in New Delhi next week, the Pentagon today said that thebilateral defence trade between the two countries is expected to reach USD18 billion by the year end.
Undersecretary Of Defense For Acquisition And Sustainment Ellen M Lord saidthe US is committed to strengthen its partnership with India whilefurthering military-to-military relationships and cooperation, PTI hasreported.
“Bilateral defence trade, essentially zero in 2008, will reach an estimatedUSD 18 billion later this year,” she told reporters at the Pentagon.
Ms Lord heads to New Delhi next week to co-chair the ninth India-US DefenceTechnologies and Trade Initiative or DTTI group meeting with her co-chairSecretary for Defence Protection Apurva Chandra.
“As the US Department of Defense leads for DTTI, I’m excited to continueworking with our Indian major defence partner,” Ms Lord said.
She said the US granted the India Strategic Trade Authority Tier 1designation last August, providing New Delhi with greater supply-chainefficiency by allowing American companies to export a greater range ofdual-use and high-technology items to India under streamlined processes.
Read Top Stories
This grants India the same authorisation as NATO allies Japan, South Koreaand Australia, she added.Advertisement
“All of these examples show how the United States and India are workingbilaterally and in cooperation with other like-minded partners to advanceour shared vision for the Indo-Pacific,” Ms Lord said.
Responding to a question, she said she personally has seen an uptick in thepace of movement in India and the willingness to engage.Advertisement
“We truly are developing some new capabilities together for production inIndia, as well as to be produced here,” Ms Lord said.
