U.S., India work to strengthen ties through joint defense initiatives

India Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar recently concluded an official visit to the U.S. at the invitation of U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter that included tours of U.S. military installations.

The two leaders discussed several joint defense initiatives as part of a broader U.S.-India partnership in South Asia. The two nations work closely on defense issues in the region, where both the U.S. and India are seeking to build up stronger security, trade and technological cooperation.

Carter and Parrikar discussed the promising results yielded from the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) between the two nations and agreed to look into new ways to work together on defense technology.

A major initiative of the DTTI program aims to address India’s interest in developing aircraft-carrier technologies. The project, Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation (JWGACTC), is especially geared toward the equipment used for aircraft launches and recovery efforts.

Parrikar was shown how flight operations work as a guest aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The official visit also included discussions of various regional security topics. Carter and Parrikar talked about countering the threat of terrorism in South Asia and working together on humanitarian and disaster-relief efforts. The leaders also discussed how to implement defense projects outlined in the Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region.