US-INDIA 2LAST

Carter and Parrikar noted the recent official exchanges, Carter and Parrikar noted the recent official exchanges,including the visit to New Delhi of General John Nicholson forconsultations on Afghanistan, as well as by the Secretary ofthe US Navy and the Secretary of the US Air Force this month. They welcomed the progress achieved under the DefenceTechnology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) so far. In Delhi inJuly this year, India and the US decided to broaden its agendaby setting up five joint working groups on naval systems, airsystems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance,chemical and biological protection, and other systems. The two leaders noted the signing of an informationexchange annex under the framework of the Aircraft CarrierJoint Working Group. Carter and Parrikar agreed to continue their closeconsultation on ‘Make in India’ proposals and praised thediscussions at the inaugural Maritime Security Dialogue heldin May. They welcomed the conclusion of the bilateral ‘WhiteShipping’ technical arrangement for data sharing on commercialshipping traffic and also discussed cooperation oncapabilities to augment India’s capacity for maritime domainawareness (MDA). Welcoming the continued efforts by the militaries of thetwo countries to deepen bilateral cooperation and expandopportunities for greater collaboration, the two leaderscommended the recent completion of the Malabar naval exercisewith Japan and India’s participation in the Rim-of-the-Pacific(RIMPAC) exercise in Hawaii, as well as the Red Flag Air ForceExercise in Alaska. They were encouraged by increased complexity in the ‘YudhAbhyas’ Army exercise scheduled in September in India. The two leaders agreed to facilitate greater and regularinteractions to deepen mutual understanding between militaryservices and promote practical cooperation in areas of mutualinterest, such as counter-terrorism, maritime security,special operations, humanitarian assistance and disasterrelief. PTI LKJABH