Rajnath Singh Champions India-US Defence Collaborations at Washington DC Meet

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended an industry round-table organized by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, discussing co-development and co-production in India's defence sector. Singh also held wide-ranging discussions with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and met senior US defence companies' officials, emphasizing Indo-US defence cooperation and investment.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh engaged with senior leaders of major US defence companies during an industry roundtable organized by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, highlighting numerous opportunities for co-development and co-production in India's defence sector.

An official communiqué indicated that progressive reforms implemented by the Indian government have attracted numerous foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including those from the US, to establish manufacturing units in India, form joint ventures, and consider India as an alternative export base. The planned co-production of GE 414 aero-engines in India marks a significant milestone in India-US bilateral relations.

Prominent US defence and technology companies such as Boeing, GE, General Atomics, General Dynamics Land Systems, L3 Harris, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Rolls Royce, and ThayerMahan attended the event. Indian companies like ideaForge, Tata Sons, and Tsecond, along with senior leaders from The Cohen Group, also participated. During the interaction, business leaders outlined their ongoing projects and future plans for India, providing valuable feedback. Singh emphasized India's openness to US investment and technology collaboration, citing a skilled workforce, a pro-FDI and pro-business environment, and a large domestic market.

Rajnath Singh also held a bilateral meeting with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon, where they expressed satisfaction with the recently concluded Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA), which aims to bolster the defence industrial ecosystems and supply chain resilience of both nations. The meeting included comprehensive discussions on bilateral defence cooperation, industrial collaboration, regional security, and international issues.

Singh noted that India and the US have a comprehensive global strategic partnership, covering a wide range of sectors. This relationship reflects a growing alignment of strategic interests and enhanced cooperation in defence, security, and industry. He highlighted high-level interactions, including Prime Minister Modi's state visit to the US and President Biden's visit to India for the G20 leaders' summit.

Both ministers praised the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for deploying Liaison Officers and the progress in operationalizing the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative, a Quad effort. The delegates commended the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) for fostering a robust network among startups, industry, academia, and governments, accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies.

The upcoming INDUS-X Silicon Valley Summit in September 2024 is expected to announce several key initiatives. The Pentagon meeting was preceded by a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Singh and Austin both looked forward to the next India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.

Rajnath Singh also met US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, discussing the evolving geopolitical landscape, regional security issues, and ongoing defence industrial collaboration between the two nations.

(With inputs from agencies.)