US-India Martime Partnership Speeds Ahead
India and the United States have agreed to strengthen their cooperation on maritime security, as concerns grow in Washington over Beijing’s growing military ambitions, reports AFP.
India and the USA had agreed to two new projects under the Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI).
According to a report by Sputnik, Washington and New Delhi agreed to strengthen cooperation in the sphere of maritime security in both Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions during the meeting of Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, a joint statement published following the talks said Tuesday.
The logistics agreement will allow India and the United States to share and exchange logistics.
Washington has increasingly turned its focus to Asia as it tries to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, and is eager for India to play a greater role in its network of regional defence alliances.
What is evident is that the US-India partnership needs to continue apace to ensure that India can build up its capacity to deter potential conflicts with China (and Pakistan) as well as become a net security provider (in partnership with the US) in its area of primary interest. This is vital for India and global security.