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India, US boost defence ties with Russia, China in mind: ‘things are changing’
- A slew of deals may be Washington’s way to wean India off its reliance on Russia, analysts say, part of a larger Western push to sell New Delhi arms
- They say the West believes India may alter its foreign policy priorities if it’s less dependent on Russia, as it eyes deepening Moscow-Beijing ties
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From an ambitious new defence cooperation plan to the co-production of military hardware and potential big-ticket arms deals for fighter jet technology, the United States and India are stepping up their military ties.
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US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin’s two-day visit to New Delhi this week saw the two governments concluding a defence “road map” that could mean faster approvals for Delhi as it tries to acquire hi-tech weaponry from Washington while opening up the possibility of the joint production of defence equipment.
The two have even finalised a new initiative, INDUS X, that Austin said “aims to jump-start” innovation between private defence firms in both countries.
When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Washington later this month, high-profile defence deals are expected, including possible plans to jointly produce fighter jet engines in India and officially unveil INDUS X.
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US and India agree on defence cooperation road map in the face of China’s regional influence
US and India agree on defence cooperation road map in the face of China’s regional influence
This slew of agreements might be Washington’s way to slowly wean India off its reliance on Russia for military hardware and spare parts, analysts said, and is part of a broader Western push to sell arms to Delhi.
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