INDIA US DEFENCE RELATIONS - UPSC Current Affairs

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Context

Bilateral meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh of India and visiting U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.

Details

Bilateral Meeting and Roadmap for Defence Industrial Cooperation:

India and the US concluded a roadmap for 'Defence Industrial Cooperation.'
The roadmap aims to guide policy direction for cooperation in high technology areas and identify opportunities for co-development and co-production.
Discussions focused on building resilient supply chains and strengthening industrial cooperation.
Emphasis on collaboration between defense start-up ecosystems of both countries.

Key Discussions and Areas of Cooperation:

Exploration of ways to enhance defense cooperation in various areas.
Convergence of strategic interests and enhanced security cooperation.
Commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Review of bilateral defence cooperation activities and maintenance of engagement momentum.
Inaugural dialogues on defence Artificial Intelligence and defence space.
Discussion on regional security issues and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

India's Requests and Concerns:

Request to remove stringent hurdles and complicated rules and regulations in the sales of military equipment and transfer of critical defence technologies.
Concerns about Pakistan's trustworthiness in handling western military equipment and platforms.

Collaboration on Critical and Advanced Technologies:

Focus on collaboration in critical and advanced technologies, particularly in the underwater domain.
Possibility of collaborating on indigenous jet engine manufacturing between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and General Electric (GE).
Request for easing US rules and regulations on defense equipment sales and technology transfers.
Importance of sourcing parts from India in relevant defence deals.
Emphasis on setting up Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in India.

Strengthening Operational Collaboration and Technology Cooperation:

Commitment to strengthen operational collaboration across all military services.
Support for India's leading role as a security provider in the Indo-Pacific.
New Roadmap for US-India Defense Industrial Cooperation to fast-track technology cooperation and co-production.
Focus areas include air combat and land mobility systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, munitions, and the undersea domain.
Reviewing regulatory hurdles and initiating negotiations on Security of Supply Arrangement and Reciprocal Defense Procurement agreement.
Growing importance of defence innovation and cooperation in emerging domains such as space, cyberspace, and artificial intelligence.

India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X):

Establishment of INDUS-X as a new initiative to advance cutting-edge technology cooperation.
Promotes innovative partnerships between US and Indian companies, investors, start-up accelerators, and academic research institutions.
Launching by the US-India Business Council on June 21, 2023.

Meeting with National Security Advisor:

Exchange of views on regional and global security issues, including maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
Roadmap for US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation will guide policy direction for the next few years.
Participation of senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Defence Secretary, and Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Background of India US Defence Relations

The India-US defense relationship has its roots in the early 1990s, when the two countries began to cooperate on a limited basis in areas such as counter-terrorism and defense technology.
In 2004, the US and India signed a landmark agreement that removed restrictions on the sale of US defense technology to India.
This agreement paved the way for a significant increase in defense cooperation between the two countries, which has continued to grow in recent years.

Key Areas of Cooperation:

The two countries cooperate in a wide range of defense areas, including:
- Counter-terrorism
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
- Maritime security
- Space
- Missile defense
- Nuclear security
- Military training and exercises
The two countries also work together on a number of defense-related research and development projects.

Despite the progress that has been made, there are still some challenges to the India-US defense relationship.
One challenge is the different security priorities of the two countries.
The US is primarily concerned with security threats in the Middle East and Asia, while India is more focused on security threats in its immediate neighborhood.
Another challenge is the Indian government's reluctance to open up its defense industry to foreign investment.
The Indian government is concerned about losing control of its defense industry and about the potential for foreign companies to steal sensitive technology.

Major Developments in India US Defense Relations:

2005: The US and India signed the New Framework for the US-India Defense Relationship, which established a roadmap for cooperation in areas such as defense technology, joint exercises, and training.
2008: The US and India signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), which allows the two countries to share logistical support during joint military operations.
2016: The US and India signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), which allows the two countries to share sensitive communications information.
2020: The US and India signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), which allows the two countries to share geospatial information.
2022: The US and India signed a $3 billion deal for India to purchase 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from the US.
2023: The US and India conducted their largest-ever joint military exercise, Malabar. The exercise included over 20 ships, 20 aircraft, and 2,500 personnel from the two countries.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Discuss the growing nature of Indo-US relationship in defense sector in the changing geopolitical scenario. (250 words)