US wants to strengthen military ties with India: Robert Gates

[CONNAN]

US wants to strengthen military ties with India: Robert Gates - The Economic Times

WASHINGTON: Ahead of his meeting with Indian counterpart AK Antony, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said the Pentagon wants to strengthen and expand its military to military ties with India.

"We are looking to expand this relationship in ways that are mutually beneficial," Gates told reporters at a Pentagon briefing ahead of the crucial Antony visit next week.

"They (India) have a big competition going on for a new modern fighter. We'll probably have some conversations about that," Gates.

The Defence Secretary said he had a very good visit to India last year wherein he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister A K Antony.

Responding to a question on the India's concerns about restriction on export of high-technology items, Gates acknowledged that this is high on the agenda and he would like to see those restrictions removed.

"I think that that is certainly high on our list, particularly in the context of export-import, or export controls, and my view of the importance of changing those export controls in ways that better protect the things that are really important and open up trade and allow US companies to sell abroad those things that technologies that are not critical," Gates said.

"So, I think India certainly is high on our list in terms of a country that we would like, I would like to see those restrictions eased," Gates said at the Pentagon news conference which was jointly addressed by Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The military-to-military relationship with India is exceptionally strong and growing, said Mullen.

"We are very committed to that, and with all of our services. I was recently there and it has taken on a significance that is equal to so many other historic relationships for us, and we know that," Mullen said.

"The Indian Ocean, we also know, is an incredibly important body of water; not just now, but also in the future. So we recognise the importance of keeping that relationship as strong as it is, and also making it grow," he said.

 

[Renegade]

If by strong military ties he means India should buy more military equipment from the US, then we should be very cautious. American equipment is neither sanction proof nor does it comes with no strings attached.

We should only get that equipment that gives a decisive edge & not end up buying the whole range of US military stuff.

 

[su-47]

If by strong military ties he means India should buy more military equipment from the US, then we should be very cautious. American equipment is neither sanction proof nor does it comes with no strings attached.

We should only get that equipment that gives a decisive edge & not end up buying the whole range of US military stuff.

Yes, we should have diversity of supply. and we should make it clear to the US that if they want 'stronger' military ties, they should give us more access to tech, since one of the cornerstones of our defence policy is ToT. All our major defence partners (Russia, Irael, France) give full ToT.

I still remember USA blocked sales of Arrow 2 to us. Its a purely defensive system. And why would they block it if they wanted 'stronger defence ties'? We were asking for a way to help us from nuclear attacks!

Personally, i would love India and USA to have great defence ties. There are good signs, like increased defence deals. I just hope the Pentagon allows more ToT

 

[fast and furious]

Yes, we should have diversity of supply. and we should make it clear to the US that if they want 'stronger' military ties, they should give us more access to tech, since one of the cornerstones of our defence policy is ToT. All our major defence partners (Russia, Irael, France) give full ToT.

I still remember USA blocked sales of Arrow 2 to us. Its a purely defensive system. And why would they block it if they wanted 'stronger defence ties'? We were asking for a way to help us from nuclear attacks!

Personally, i would love India and USA to have great defence ties. There are good signs, like increased defence deals. I just hope the Pentagon allows more ToT

Su-47 sir couldnt agree with you more.

A wierd question sir.
If India gets really close to The United States,any chance India can play a role in brokering a strategic partnership or some kinda agreement between Russia and US in this post cold war scenario ?

Would aprreciate your valuable thoughts on this.

 

[su-47]

Su-47 sir couldnt agree with you more.

A wierd question sir.
If India gets really close to The United States,any chance India can play a role in brokering a strategic partnership or some kinda agreement between Russia and US in this post cold war scenario ?

Would aprreciate your valuable thoughts on this.

Too hard. Really, you have to understand the depth of their relationship. To sort out a problem, the intermediary has to have very strong relations with both parties and have significant influence over either party. And the intermediary has to be stronger than either party for it to have a hope of success.

Russo-US issues are much deeper than anything that we can hope to solve. Lets just say that the strength of their mistrust of each other is higher than the strength of their friendship with either of us.

We can advise them on ways to sort it out, but thats about it.Any problems will have to be sorted out between themselves.

 

[ganimi kawa]

Obama's cabinet is certainly proving to be a throwback to the cold war era american mindset!

Just take a look at breakdown of this statement from Mr. Gates...

"1. I think that that is certainly high on our list, particularly in the context of export-import, or export controls,

2. and my view of the importance of changing those export controls in ways that better protect the things that are really important and open up trade

3. and allow US companies to sell abroad those things that technologies that are not critical," Gates said.

Now here is what it actually means...

1. "I think that that is certainly high on our list....EXPORT,EXPORT,EXPORT!"

2. "and my view of the importance of changing those export controls is to open up indian defence market like a can of beans while protecting cutting edge tech from falling into Indian hands."

3. "and allow US companies to sell abroad those things that technologies that are not critical"
(There was no need change this one, it is blatant enough!)

Mr. Richard Nixon must be clapping from his grave!

 

[fast and furious]

Too hard. Really, you have to understand the depth of their relationship. To sort out a problem, the intermediary has to have very strong relations with both parties and have significant influence over either party. And the intermediary has to be stronger than either party for it to have a hope of success.

Russo-US issues are much deeper than anything that we can hope to solve. Lets just say that the strength of their mistrust of each other is higher than the strength of their friendship with either of us.

We can advise them on ways to sort it out, but thats about it.Any problems will have to be sorted out between themselves.

Sir it is widely believed that Israel played a big part in US cosying up to India.The whole scenario that you presented is applicable here as well
except the fact that the divide between Russia and US may be greater than what India had with US when Israel played the matchmaker.
Also Israel is not more powerful than either India or The US.


Sir if the belief about Israel's role is true,and India also tries to play Israel, what possible Geopolitics move India can make and wat kinda luck will we need.You think South China sea may see US and Russia's intrest converging or they will drift even further ?

 

[ganimi kawa]

Sir it is widely believed that Israel played a big part in US cosying up to India.The whole scenario that you presented is applicable here as well
except the fact that the divide between Russia and US may be greater than what India had with US when Israel played the matchmaker.
Also Israel is not more powerful than either India or The US.


Sir if the belief about Israel's role is true,and India also tries to play Israel, what possible Geopolitics move India can make and wat kinda luck will we need.You think South China sea may see US and Russia's intrest converging or they will drift even further ?

If the belief about Israel's role is true

Then,this sure is interesting; however; there are certain differances in US, India, Israel equation and taht of US, Russia and India.

1. A mediator must have explicit trust from both the sides, I don't think India has US's trust (hence CISMOA etc). Israel earned Inda's trust in Kargill.

2.A mediator can do didley squat if the two sides do not share common interests to a significant level ( Something like " Miyan bibi NAHI razi to kya karega kazi?" )
I do not foresee any significant convergance of US and Russian Strategic interests in near future.

3. If at all this convergance is to happen then China will have to heavily antagonize both of them, that is the only way.
And I don't think the chinese will ever make such a huge mistake!

 

[fast and furious]

If the belief about Israel's role is true

Then,this sure is interesting; however; there are certain differances in US, India, Israel equation and taht of US, Russia and India.

1. A mediator must have explicit trust from both the sides, I don't think India has US's trust (hence CISMOA etc). Israel earned Inda's trust in Kargill.

2.A mediator can do didley squat if the two sides do not share common interests to a significant level ( Something like " Miyan bibi NAHI razi to kya karega kazi?" )
I do not foresee any significant convergance of US and Russian Strategic interests in near future.

3. If at all this convergance is to happen then China will have to heavily antagonize both of them, that is the only way.
And I don't think the chinese will ever make such a huge mistake!

Russia being ambivalent to China vs US +India (If it ever happens) is the best we can achieve.

 

[deltacamelately]

Too hard. Really, you have to understand the depth of their relationship. To sort out a problem, the intermediary has to have very strong relations with both parties and have significant influence over either party. And the intermediary has to be stronger than either party for it to have a hope of success.

Russo-US issues are much deeper than anything that we can hope to solve. Lets just say that the strength of their mistrust of each other is higher than the strength of their friendship with either of us.

We can advise them on ways to sort it out, but thats about it.Any problems will have to be sorted out between themselves.

Su-47,

Pakistan wrt to US-PRC.

 

[mrwarrior006]

isnt just now israel and russia singed an 5 year military pact
can be any indian angle added to it and if yes then there can be a way where israel and india can try and bring usa and russia as close possible

 

[Awesome]

In other words US supports the murder of babies and the **** of women in Kashmir by strengthening this monstrosity further.

 

[Von Hölle]

In other words US supports the murder of babies and the **** of women in Kashmir by strengthening this monstrosity further.

Well they did support you in 1971, or have you forgotten Nixon's reaction to the blood telegram.

 

[Renegade]

isnt just now israel and russia singed an 5 year military pact
can be any indian angle added to it and if yes then there can be a way where israel and india can try and bring usa and russia as close possible

I seriously doubt that there is an Indian angle to it. For, India has very limited or virtually no influence in the Middle East. Both Israel and Russia came together for mutual benefit - the Russians wanted Israeli drone technology & the Israelis did not want Russia to sell the S-300 to Iran. That's the primary reason for the coziness between the two.

The US and Russia are already coming close together. The Obama administration is very proactively engaging the Russians on many counts. The results can already be seen in the form of less opposition from Russia to American policies and actions. If the level of engagement remains the same relations will further improve between the two.

 

[hecj]

In other words US supports the murder of babies and the **** of women in Kashmir by strengthening this monstrosity further.

americans are still ur strategic ally