India’s defence cooperation with the US will soon overcome hurdles on transfer of technology and bureaucratic red tape following directions from the leadership of both countries, a senior US government official on a visit to India has said. It will see a new phase in defence cooperation between the two, the official said. The US was very focused on helping India modernise its armed forces and was fully supportive of the steps taken towards indigenisation, the official said, while describing the recent 2+2 dialogue as a milestone.
“The way forward is to identify capabilities that we can work on and the hurdles that have to be overcome. The difference this time around is that the defence relationship is in a much stronger position and there has been a leader level direction,” the official said. Under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative, a joint project for air launched UAVs has already been announced and two more projects for counter drone systems and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms were likely to be finalised soon.
“Bureaucratic concerns potentially associated with tech transfer that existed before will all get very careful consideration,” the official said, addressing questions on past tech transfer plans which did not materialise. While broad areas for cooperation have been identified in artificial intelligence, cyberspace and space, the two countries are looking at specific areas like undersea technologies for collaboration.
The US also shares concerns about the military expansions by China in IOR. There has been a pattern to PLA actions – from activities in the south China Sea, to the Line of Actual Control and in Taiwan.
