At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin praised the strong relationship between the United States and Bharat, stating that it is better now than it has ever been. Speaking at Asia’s top security summit, Austin highlighted significant progress in defence collaboration between the two countries.
Austin pointed out that the US and Bharat are currently co-producing armoured vehicles, a major step in their defence cooperation. He also mentioned the successful effort to enable Bharat to manufacture jet engines for fighter aircraft, a notion that began years ago and faced skepticism but has now come to fruition.
“We were hopeful but very sceptical that we could get this across the finish line. We did it. That’s happening,” Austin said, reflecting on the challenges and successes of this joint venture.
The Defence Secretary emphasized the strong momentum in the US-Bharat relationship, attributing it to shared values and a common vision. He expressed confidence that this momentum would continue and even accelerate, benefiting both nations.
“So the anchors of our progress are sunk pretty deep throughout the region, and they’re based on a common vision and common values. And so I believe that the momentum that we see is going to not only continue, but it’s going to… that flywheel is going to pick up speed because this benefits us all,” Austin noted.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted annually in Singapore by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), is a key platform for discussing regional security issues. During his speech, Austin also highlighted the importance of new technology and training for Southeast Asia, underscoring the broader regional impact of US-Bharat defence cooperation.
In April, Austin described the US-Bharat deal to produce jet engines in collaboration as revolutionary. He noted that such joint ventures provide significant capabilities and strengthen the strategic relationship between the two countries.
The landmark agreement was first announced in June of the previous year during Bharatiya Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US. General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics signed a memorandum of understanding to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force.
Earlier in 2023, General Electric announced an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to jointly manufacture engines for Indian fighter jets. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in US-India defence ties.
In addition, in February, the Biden Administration notified the US Congress of its intent to sell nearly $4 billion worth of arms to India, including MQ-9B drones armed with Hellfire missiles. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency, part of the US Department of Defence, stated that this sale would strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and contribute to political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.
Austin’s remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue highlight the deepening ties between the US and Bharat, driven by shared values and mutual interests in regional security and technological advancement.
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