By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : US Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates says he sees his visit to India as another step toward expanding the two countries’ solid defence relationship, particularly in light of the common threats they face.
“It will be a further review of progress we are making in expanding the relationship – whether it is training, exercises or defence trade,” Gates told reporters during the flight to New Delhi, according to the US defence department.
“All these things have grown significantly” since the two countries signed a defence framework agreement in 2005, he said calling terrorism the greatest common challenge the two countries face.
Gates also cited strides the United States and India have made in developing a stable defence trade, most recently with India’s decision to buy US transport aircraft and other military equipment.
“The US defence industry produces the best products in the world, and using the same platforms also enhances our militaries’ ability to interact and communicate more effectively,” he wrote in an op ed piece in the Times of India Tuesday.
More opportunities for closer cooperation in sharing technology and increasing two-way information flow are out there, he said, acknowledging that current policies hamper them to some extent.
“We both have to re-examine policies dealing with exchanging technology,” he wrote. “Moving forward together on certain regulatory measures in this area – especially those dictated by United States law – will enable greater levels of cooperation and provide tangible benefits for both governments and economies.”
Gates last visited India in February 2008, but has interacted regularly with his counterparts there as part of the broad pattern of US engagement that includes not only security, but also a range of other issues, a senior defence official told reporters ahead of the visit.
“This is part of that broad plan to make sure that we continue to build patterns of cooperation and understand where our shared interests will lead to greater cooperation in the defence and security realm,” he said.
Gates will explore with Indian leaders ways to expand the already-robust military-to-military relationship, deepen counter-terrorism cooperation and bolster India’s role in promoting security in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the entire South Asia region, he said.
The talks undoubtedly will address tensions between India and Pakistan. However, defence officials said they’re gratified by both countries’ growing recognition that their biggest threat is radical extremism, not each other.
Military trade is likely to be discussed, but Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell emphasised that Gates’ visit is intended to deepen relations with a growing global economic, political and security leader, not to sell weapons.
“The secretary is travelling to India because we have strong bilateral relations with that country and need to nurture and grow those,” he said. “That is a priority.”
Military exercises between the United States and India have increased in size and scope every year since 2002, the defence official noted.