Washington:
The U.S. State Department expressed optimism about the proposed drone deal with India, stressing its “enormous potential” to advance strategic technology cooperation.
The agreement, announced during a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, marks a significant development in the U.S.-India defense partnership over the past decade.
U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller emphasized the importance of the agreement to further deepen strategic technical cooperation with India and strengthen military cooperation in the region.
Speaking to the media, Miller said, “So I would say, overall, the U.S.-India defense partnership has grown significantly over the past decade. This was the proposal announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit last year. sell.”
“We believe this offers great potential to further advance strategic technical cooperation with India as well as military cooperation in the region,” he added.
He also acknowledged the critical role of Congress in the arms transfer process, emphasizing routine consultations with members of the Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee before formal notifications.
“Congress, of course, plays an important role in the U.S. arms transfer process. We typically consult with members of Congress on the Foreign Affairs Committee before a formal notification is made in order to address any questions they may have. But I will not make any comment on when Give formal notice,” Miller also said.
The proposed drone deal is part of a broader effort to strengthen defense ties between the United States and India.
In June 2023, US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed India’s plan to purchase Predator drones made by General Atomics, a large deal that will allow US Navy ships to be built in India The factory undergoes major repairs.
President Biden and Prime Minister Modi have welcomed India’s plan to procure General Atomics MQ-9B HALE drones. Assembled in India, the MQ-9B will enhance the cross-domain ISR capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces. As part of the plan, General Atomics will also establish a comprehensive global MRO facility in India, according to a joint US-India statement.
The agreement will strengthen India’s national security and surveillance capabilities, extending beyond the Indian Ocean and covering the border areas with China.
India shares vast maritime and land borders with its two major adversaries, Pakistan and China, and needs to constantly monitor their activities to safeguard its national security interests.
The Quad Group – the United States, India, Australia and Japan – all operate or have already operated the MQ-9B SeaGuardian. Currently, India is leasing MQ-9Bs as part of intelligence gathering operations.
Predators, also known as MQ-9 Reapers, can fly continuously for up to 36 hours and can be used to focus surveillance on any specific point or area of interest.
India is about to purchase as many as 31 Predator drones from the United States, which will be jointly operated by the three services.
President Biden and Prime Minister Modi also welcomed the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding between General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to produce in India the Mk 2 light fighter aircraft for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the statement added. GE F-414 jet engine.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
