US: Will transfer critical defence technology to India in May

CHENNAI: The US on Wednesday announced that it would transfer critical defence technology to India and conduct a tri-services exercise with the country’s armed forces as part of a “2+2” meeting likely to take place in May.

US envoy to India Kenneth I Juster, projecting bolstered defence ties between America and India, implied that the US would transfer to India technology that it was yet to share with any country.

Speaking at a US-India Business Council seminar on the first day of DefExpo-18 in Thiruvidanthai, Juster said ties between New Delhi and Washington are “sending a strong signal” to other countries.

“The US has designated India as a major defence partner and it is significant in many respects. The US Congress supports India on both sides of the aisle,” he said, outlining the objectives of the 2+2 meet, which will have two representatives from each side.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman joined the US ambassador to stress the importance of strategic ties between both the countries.

Juster said the US would, offer India defence technology with a focus on a jet fighter platform and transfer of technology. This, he said, would enable India to build an “entire ecosystem” for companies to produce jet fighters in this country.

The US-India defence relationship is not something that is going to last a few days, Juster said.