Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official state visit to the USA, officials of both countries have intensified their discussions on co-producing jet engines, long-range artillery, and infantry vehicles under the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies.
India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and U.S. NSA Jake Sullivan launched iCET earlier this year.
At a meeting with Indian Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane at the Pentagon, U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks termed the proposals to co-produce jet engines, long-range artillery, and infantry vehicles under iCET 'unprecedented opportunities' to strengthen ties between the defence sectors of the two nations.
The two officials discussed priorities for strengthening the U.S.-India defence partnership, including increasing defence industrial cooperation and operational collaboration, Pentagon spokesperson Eric Pahon said.
Hicks underscored the importance of the U.S.-India relationship as critical for promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
Pahon also reiterated the importance of deepening military-to-military relations between the two nations as the technology partnership grows.
They also highlighted its value as an opportunity to promote partnerships between the two countries' defence innovation ecosystems. »
