Defence on Obama plan
Counter-terrorism high on agenda; US hopes visit will lift ties
Moving forward on issues of the civil nuclear deal, technology transfer and joint ventures in defence will be among the key areas where India and the US would like to have “concrete deliverables” during the three-day high-voltage trip of US President Barack Obama.
Also, cooperation in key areas of security, counterterrorism and the situation in India’s extended neighbourhood would be among the issues to be discussed between Mr Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The US is hoping the visit will “elevate” ties between the two nations.
Meanwhile, on the eve of his visit here, Mr Obama on Saturday said that the ties between India and the United States will continue to deepen in the 21st century on the basis of democratic ideals contained in the Constitutions of both the countries. He said that it is a “great honour to serve as India’s chief guest during the Republic Day celebrations. Michelle and I very much look forward to returning to India, and once again enjoying the generosity, hospitality, and beauty that marked our last visit in 2010.”
When he lands in New Delhi in Air Force One, the US President will be received by minister of state for power and coal (independent charge) Piyush Goyal, who will be the minister-in-waiting for President Obama during his India stay. As per the schedule released, the US President will be received at Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Mukherjee at noon on Sunday.
During US President Barack Obama’s visit India and the US are also expected to sign their new 10-year defence framework agreement.
The new framework is likely to enhance the bilateral defence partnership by stepping up joint military exercises and through more indepth intelligence-sharing, maritime security, etc. It will also include a drive against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar had recently pointed out that the focus would not be on procurement but on joint development of technology and technology transfer.
The US is also focusing on the India-US Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI), which promotes collaboration in defence technology and enables co-production and co-development of critical defence systems.