We are beginning a new chapter in US-India relations, says Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin
| 2024-04-12
Representative image.
Austin also highlights the importance of the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership
In a significant statement underscoring the growing strategic ties between the United States and India, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has declared the commencement of a "new chapter" in relations with India, emphasizing enhanced military cooperation and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Speaking to lawmakers during Congressional hearings earlier this week on the US defence budget for 2025, Secretary Austin outlined the broad contours of this burgeoning partnership, aimed at fortifying both nations' positions in a region increasingly characterized by geopolitical tensions.
As Secretary Austin remarked, this budget request marks a "new chapter in US-India relations under our Major Defense Partnership."
He detailed several initiatives aimed at bolstering the Indian military's capabilities, which he believes are crucial for maintaining a stable balance of power across the Indo-Pacific. "Our militaries are accelerating joint exercises, information-sharing, and other operational activities to boost maritime security in the Indian Ocean," Austin stated, highlighting the mutual benefits of increased cooperation.
This enhanced military engagement includes the largest-ever bilateral joint amphibious exercise, named Tiger Triumph-24, which has significantly advanced maritime domain awareness and strengthened service-to-service ties. Furthermore, the US and India have sought unprecedented levels of interoperability, with cooperative ventures such as the participation of US B-1B bombers in India's biennial air show Aero India and the bilateral air exercise Cope India.
Supporting Regional Alliances
A key component of the US-India strategic partnership is its support for the broader network of allies and partners, particularly within frameworks like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which includes Australia, Japan, and the United States alongside India. Austin's remarked on the U.S. commitment to ensuring that the partnership benefits the bilateral relations and supports the collective efforts of allied nations across the region.
During his testimony, Austin also mentioned the strategic importance of the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership which has been instrumental in fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific, especially amidst assertive moves by China in the region.
Defense Industrial Cooperation
In 2023, the US and India achieved significant milestones in defense industrial cooperation with the launch of INDUS-X and the completion of a roadmap for US-India Defense Industrial Cooperation. These initiatives aim to enhance bilateral defense industrial cooperation and innovation, illustrated by the proposed deal between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the domestic production of F-414 jet engines in India.
The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) has further deepened cooperation, enabling more regular and flexible engagements, including US ship repairs in Indian shipyards. In a testament to this growing industrial and operational collaboration, two new Master Ship Repair Agreements were signed last year, and three US Navy vessels have recently undergone maintenance and repair in Indian facilities.
The strengthening of US-India ties comes at a critical time when China's regional ambitions have led to increased tensions, notably highlighted by the ongoing border disputes with India. Austin's and other officials' statements during the hearings have made it clear that the U.S. views a robust partnership with India as pivotal to the stability and security of the entire Indo-Pacific region.
This new phase is characterized by strategic, operational, and industrial enhancements that promise to significantly impact the geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing the position of the US and India as pivotal players in maintaining regional stability.
Speaking to lawmakers during Congressional hearings earlier this week on the US defence budget for 2025, Secretary Austin outlined the broad contours of this burgeoning partnership, aimed at fortifying both nations' positions in a region increasingly characterized by geopolitical tensions.
As Secretary Austin remarked, this budget request marks a "new chapter in US-India relations under our Major Defense Partnership."
He detailed several initiatives aimed at bolstering the Indian military's capabilities, which he believes are crucial for maintaining a stable balance of power across the Indo-Pacific. "Our militaries are accelerating joint exercises, information-sharing, and other operational activities to boost maritime security in the Indian Ocean," Austin stated, highlighting the mutual benefits of increased cooperation.
This enhanced military engagement includes the largest-ever bilateral joint amphibious exercise, named Tiger Triumph-24, which has significantly advanced maritime domain awareness and strengthened service-to-service ties. Furthermore, the US and India have sought unprecedented levels of interoperability, with cooperative ventures such as the participation of US B-1B bombers in India's biennial air show Aero India and the bilateral air exercise Cope India.
Supporting Regional Alliances
A key component of the US-India strategic partnership is its support for the broader network of allies and partners, particularly within frameworks like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which includes Australia, Japan, and the United States alongside India. Austin's remarked on the U.S. commitment to ensuring that the partnership benefits the bilateral relations and supports the collective efforts of allied nations across the region.
During his testimony, Austin also mentioned the strategic importance of the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership which has been instrumental in fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific, especially amidst assertive moves by China in the region.
Defense Industrial Cooperation
In 2023, the US and India achieved significant milestones in defense industrial cooperation with the launch of INDUS-X and the completion of a roadmap for US-India Defense Industrial Cooperation. These initiatives aim to enhance bilateral defense industrial cooperation and innovation, illustrated by the proposed deal between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the domestic production of F-414 jet engines in India.
The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) has further deepened cooperation, enabling more regular and flexible engagements, including US ship repairs in Indian shipyards. In a testament to this growing industrial and operational collaboration, two new Master Ship Repair Agreements were signed last year, and three US Navy vessels have recently undergone maintenance and repair in Indian facilities.
The strengthening of US-India ties comes at a critical time when China's regional ambitions have led to increased tensions, notably highlighted by the ongoing border disputes with India. Austin's and other officials' statements during the hearings have made it clear that the U.S. views a robust partnership with India as pivotal to the stability and security of the entire Indo-Pacific region.
This new phase is characterized by strategic, operational, and industrial enhancements that promise to significantly impact the geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing the position of the US and India as pivotal players in maintaining regional stability.
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