NEW DELHI – Amidst the controversy over India’s Rafale fighter jet dealwith France, US Ambassador to India Kenneth I. Juster on Wednesday stressedon the need for greater defence co-operation between India and the UnitedStates.

Speaking at an event in Kolkata, Juster said cooperation in the defencesector was a key pillar in the Indo-US strategic partnership.

“US defense companies are already investing in India, producing componentsfor complex defence systems. Our Defence Technology and Trade initiativeand the US designation of India as a major defence partner are designed tostrengthen our defence cooperation, including opportunities inco-development and co-production,” Juster said.

Describing India’s defence needs as “vast”, the diplomat claimed that theTrump administration was committed to enhancing India’s security, andhighlighted how the US could assist India’s efforts to build its indigenouscapabilities.

“We understand that India is projected to spend around 150 billion USD inthis sector (defence) over the next 10-15 years, so the opportunity isenormous,” the American diplomat claimed, adding that India’s purchase ofUS defence equipments had touched nearly 15 billion USD in a decade.

Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reforms push, the ambassadorstressed on the need for further opening the Indian economy.

“Accelerating the economic and regulatory reform process already begun byPrime Minister Modi will help ensure that India is seen as a increasinglyefficient, transparent and well regulated market. Opening India’s marketfurther to US trade and investment will spur our collaboration on manyemerging technologies that will drive and protect our economies, includingthose related to advanced manufacturing and cyber security,” Juster said.