17th India-US Defence Policy Group meeting held in Washington DC

Wahington DC: Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Dr Colin Kahl have co-chaired the 17th meeting of India-US Defence Policy Group (DPG) in Washington DC. The defence ministry stated that the meeting was cordial and productive.

The two sides reviewed the progress made in furthering defence industrial cooperation and operationalising the India-US Major Defence Partnership. Important aspects such as military-to-military cooperation, implementation of foundational defence agreements, exercises and the ongoing & future cooperative activities in the Indian Ocean Region were discussed.

Considerable focus was given on the ways and means to enhance defence industrial cooperation, including technology partnership, long-term research & development and improving supply chain security. The meeting also discussed promoting co-development and co-production in India including potential areas and projects where Indian and US defence companies could work together.

Both the sides agreed to encourage both the private and government stakeholders to utilise the innovation ecosystems and promote defence start-ups.

The DPG is the apex official-level mechanism between Ministry of Defence, India and US Department of Defence. It comprehensively reviews and guides all aspects of bilateral defence cooperation with a focus on policy.

India is also on the lookout for about 110 fighter planes for the Air Force and at least two American planes are possible options.

India today is very actively involved with the US on many geopolitical platforms like the quad, I2U2, IPEF, etc. The relationship is on an upward trajectory with the recently announced initiatives in critical and emerging technologies(iCET), the Strategic Trade Agreement, and the Commercial Dialogue.

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