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.