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New Delhi, June 6 (ANI): Stressing that the United States is firmly committed to providing the best defense technology possible to India, U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on Wednesday said the two nations are leaders in technology development and can do incredible work together.
"I want to stress that the United States is firmly committed to providing the best defense technology possible to India. We are both leaders in technology development and we can do incredible work together. Indeed, I think close partnership with America will be key to meeting India's own stated aims of a modern and effective defense force," said Panetta during his address at the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses here.
Panetta said the two sides have increased the defense sales relationship - from virtually nothing early in the last decade to sales worth over $8 billion today.
"Our sales are growing rapidly. For example, India and the US have agreed to sales of maritime surveillance and transport aircraft. India will soon have the second largest fleet of in the World, expanding the reach and strength of India's forces and their ability to rapidly deploy," said Panetta.
"Your C-130 transport aircraft and P8-I maritime surveillance aircraft purchases are also historic. In fact, India and the United States will be the only countries operating the P8-I aircraft," he added
Panetta further said that 'in providing such capabilities to the Indian armed forces, we also enabled new training and exchange opportunities between our militaries'.
"For example, our sales of transport aircraft included U.S. Air Force training of Indian pilots, loadmasters and maintenance staff," he added.
Panetta said India and the United States have some early successes and are poised to embark on technology sharing, co-production and other initiatives that will be a great value to the two countries.
"Finally, in terms of building collaboration, we have some early successes and are poised to embark on technology sharing, co-production and other initiatives that will be a great value to each of our nations. Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky and India's Tata Group are already jointly manufacturing spare parts for transport aircraft in Hyderabad," said Panetta.
"This project benefits each of our nations by creating jobs in India and America and strengthening our defense industries," he added.
Panetta said the US-India military exercises, which are already strong, must continue to be more regular and complex.
"And we must move beyond a focus on individual arms sales to regular cooperation that increases the quantity and quality of our defense trade," he added.
Panetta said the United States and India have built a strong foundation for defense cooperation in this new century.
"My country is committed to an even greater role in the Asia Pacific, extending all the way to the India Ocean, and our attention and resources will advance partnerships throughout the region, including with India," he added.
Panetta further expressed hope that the two nations will continue to draw closer for they face common challenges.
"Our two nations may not agree on the solution to every challenge facing us, and we both face the challenge of political gridlock at home that sometimes prohibits advancing our broader strategic objectives. But I am sure that we will continue to draw closer together because we share the same values, the same challenges and threats, and the same vision of a just, stable, and peaceful regional order," said Panetta.
"Our people, our businesses, our militaries and our governments will all be partners in this effort to serve the dream that guides both of our great democracies the dream of building a better, more prosperous future for our children. Together as partners, we will help one another realize that dream in the 21st century," he added.
The visiting U.S. Defence Secretary held delegation-level talks with Defence Minister A.K. Antony earlier this morning during which they reviewed the security situation in South Asia and the ******* region.
Panetta gave an assurance to Antony that the US would initiate measures to provide access to technology, along with sales. (ANI)
"I want to stress that the United States is firmly committed to providing the best defense technology possible to India. We are both leaders in technology development and we can do incredible work together. Indeed, I think close partnership with America will be key to meeting India's own stated aims of a modern and effective defense force," said Panetta during his address at the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses here.
Panetta said the two sides have increased the defense sales relationship - from virtually nothing early in the last decade to sales worth over $8 billion today.
"Our sales are growing rapidly. For example, India and the US have agreed to sales of maritime surveillance and transport aircraft. India will soon have the second largest fleet of in the World, expanding the reach and strength of India's forces and their ability to rapidly deploy," said Panetta.
"Your C-130 transport aircraft and P8-I maritime surveillance aircraft purchases are also historic. In fact, India and the United States will be the only countries operating the P8-I aircraft," he added
Panetta further said that 'in providing such capabilities to the Indian armed forces, we also enabled new training and exchange opportunities between our militaries'.
"For example, our sales of transport aircraft included U.S. Air Force training of Indian pilots, loadmasters and maintenance staff," he added.
Panetta said India and the United States have some early successes and are poised to embark on technology sharing, co-production and other initiatives that will be a great value to the two countries.
"Finally, in terms of building collaboration, we have some early successes and are poised to embark on technology sharing, co-production and other initiatives that will be a great value to each of our nations. Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky and India's Tata Group are already jointly manufacturing spare parts for transport aircraft in Hyderabad," said Panetta.
"This project benefits each of our nations by creating jobs in India and America and strengthening our defense industries," he added.
Panetta said the US-India military exercises, which are already strong, must continue to be more regular and complex.
"And we must move beyond a focus on individual arms sales to regular cooperation that increases the quantity and quality of our defense trade," he added.
Panetta said the United States and India have built a strong foundation for defense cooperation in this new century.
"My country is committed to an even greater role in the Asia Pacific, extending all the way to the India Ocean, and our attention and resources will advance partnerships throughout the region, including with India," he added.
Panetta further expressed hope that the two nations will continue to draw closer for they face common challenges.
"Our two nations may not agree on the solution to every challenge facing us, and we both face the challenge of political gridlock at home that sometimes prohibits advancing our broader strategic objectives. But I am sure that we will continue to draw closer together because we share the same values, the same challenges and threats, and the same vision of a just, stable, and peaceful regional order," said Panetta.
"Our people, our businesses, our militaries and our governments will all be partners in this effort to serve the dream that guides both of our great democracies the dream of building a better, more prosperous future for our children. Together as partners, we will help one another realize that dream in the 21st century," he added.
The visiting U.S. Defence Secretary held delegation-level talks with Defence Minister A.K. Antony earlier this morning during which they reviewed the security situation in South Asia and the ******* region.
Panetta gave an assurance to Antony that the US would initiate measures to provide access to technology, along with sales. (ANI)
