India –
One of the truest tests of a friendship between two countries is the degree
to which their armed forces trust and collaborate with each other.
Military-to-military ties between the United States and India are stronger now
than ever, and we intend to take these ties even further in the coming months
and years.
President Obama and Prime Minister Modi recently set forth a sweeping vision
for a partnership that can lead the world toward greater peace, prosperity, and
especially, security. Our leaders declared that each step we take to bolster
our commitment to sanjha suraksha – shared security – is a step towards
making that vision a reality. And we see that reality more and more each day.
Just a few years ago, few people could have predicted that India and the
United States would establish a joint working group on aircraft carrier
technology or that our governments and private sectors would pursue
co-development and co-production of defense articles. We don’t pursue these
types of collaboration with just any country; indeed, these are reserved for our
closest partners. Our best partners.
This week’s 10th edition of “Aero India” in Bangalore – Asia’s premier
defense expo – is yet another clear example demonstrating the increasing
closeness of our partnership and the commitment we share to finding joint
solutions to our common security challenges. U.S. participation will provide
opportunities to both U.S. and Indian industry to strengthen
military-to-military relations and further invigorate our defense industrial
cooperation, from California to Karnataka, from Texas to Telangana. Some of the
broad range of aircraft that will be on display by U.S. companies include F-15C
Eagles, F-16C Fighting Falcons, Boeing’s KC-135 tanker, the C-17 Globemaster
III, and P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft.
We’ll highlight our expanded military-to-military ties as well. Frequent
engagement between our militaries, whether through conducting a combined
exercise or participating in the new military education partnership announced
between our respective National Defense Universities, is a key pillar of our
defense relationship. The collaboration helps forge a cooperative strategic
culture and strengthens the U.S. and India’s capacity to prevent conflict and
respond to humanitarian crises. For the first time ever a U.S. parachute team
will join an Indian team for demonstrations at this year’s Aero India. While
the demonstrations may be symbolic, they will underscore our focus on joint
exercises, such as the MALABAR naval exercise and the YUDH ABHYAS army exercise,
which have grown in size and complexity over the years.
These endeavors are part of a shared U.S.-India regional vision, one that
focuses on the strategic convergence of our shared democratic values, as well as
the respect our nations have for the stability and prosperity that a rules-based
international system has brought to the world. As home to more than two-thirds
of the earth’s population, Asia is and will be the center of gravity for a long
time to come. Our security partnership with India will help safeguard against
global instability, protect freedom of navigation in the air and sea, and
enhance prosperity throughout the entire Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean region.
President Obama and Prime Minister Modi also recognized and reaffirmed the
importance of the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) to advance
co-production and co-development efforts. We believe DTTI will support the
development of a strong and self-sufficient Indian defense industrial base,
complementing the Prime Minister’s “Make in India” vision, while also sustaining
American jobs and innovation as well. We look forward to launching the four
pathfinder DTTI projects announced during the President’s visit while we
continue to explore additional opportunities to expand our defense industrial
cooperation.
The year ahead holds great promise for the US-India military partnership.
From increasing the complexity and frequency of our combined exercises, to
continuing to deepen our already robust defense industry ties, we will meet the
challenges of the global security environment together. Aero India marks an
exciting time in the U.S.-India relationship, full of possibilities for the
United States and India to drive toward that reachable goal of a best
partnership that fosters peace, prosperity, and stability across the globe.