Defence Secretary begins U.S. visit from tomorrow

New Delhi: Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane is on a visit to the U.S. from tomorrow. His visit assumes significance as it is happening weeks before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Washington tour.

During the visit, Defence Secretary Aramane will meet Dr Colin Kahl, the under Secretary of defence for policy. Kahl was national security advisor to Joe Biden, when he was Vice President, under President Barack Obama.

During the meeting, both sides are supposed to discuss entire gamut of defence ties. US -India engagement in the defence sector over the last two decades has paused at USD 20 billion, dominated mainly by government to government and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) exchanges. Historically, it is a case of missed opportunities for the US more than India, as both countries did not form a strategic and mutually beneficial long-term relationship that also covers security cooperation.

Atmanirbharata in defence and Make in India for the World are likely to be on the agenda. Several of the world's largest defence manufacturing companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin and GE are American and India will be keen to see some of them set up manufacturing facilities in India. Joint research and development is also an option, particularly in regard to high-tech materials.

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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