Framework for Indo-US defence ties in the making

While the India-US military logistics agreement was a major milestone, New Delhi and the Washington are quietly working towards a framework that will be far more consequential for the future of defence ties between them.

They are discussing a document India gave the US ahead of the Monday meeting of defence minister Manohar Parrikar with his US counterpart Ashton Carter here on Monday.

The paper, which has not been made public by either country, was described by Carter at his presser with Parrikar as “very lengthy, detailed and … a very constructive paper”.

He had gone on to say, “I’ve read that, studied it very carefully you know … that’s an excellent basis for the implementation of the major defence partnership.” But he offered no details.

Neither did Parrikar. Indian officials refused to share contents of the document, and there was no response from US defence department to a request for details till late Tuesday.

The document is an attempt to flesh out the classification of “major defence partner” that the US coined for India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s June visit, a source said.

“It’s a new classification altogether,” the source said, adding, “that’s a third category of partners the US has — after treaty allies and non-treaty allies.” India is neither.

In a way, both New Delhi and Washington DC are in uncharted waters here, and are working towards putting together, first, a framework and then, second, fill it with details.

The framework will determine, the source said, how the US shares sensitive technology for co-production or co-development with a country that is not an ally in the traditional sense.

The US has emerged as India’s second biggest supplier of defence equipment with $4.4 million worth in contracts in the last three years alone, behind Russia’s $5 billion.

It has moved aggressively to expand defence trade in recent years under Carter’s watch by making it easier for India to buy from it, especially sensitive dualuse technology. During Modi’s visit in June, the US said it would work towards “technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners”.

THE FRAMEWORK WILL DETERMINE HOW THE US SHARES SENSITIVE TECH FOR CO-PRODUCTION WITH A COUNTRY THAT ISN’T A TRADITIONAL ALLY