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India has said the first-of-its-kind of initiative
with America will add "more muscle" to the
bilateral strategic partnership.
NEW YORK: Days after agreeing on joint development
and production in the field of defence with the US,
India has said the first-of-its-kind of initiative with
America will add "more muscle" to the bilateral
strategic partnership but it is not at the expense of
traditional friend Russia.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said the
defence cooperation between India and the US has
been at a lower level despite the two countries having
engagement in a wide range of areas and it will be
upgraded by the Defence Declaration issued after
meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and
President Barack Obama last week.
"I think, it gives major substance to our strategic
partnership," he told the PTI in an interview here
about the decision under which the two countries will
undertake joint development and production of
defence equipment with transfer of technology from
the US.
"It (joint defence declaration) gives more muscle (to
India-US relationship), gives it more content, more
strength and I think it gives it more traction," said
Khurshid, who was part of the Indian delegation in the
Summit meeting between Singh and Obama in
Washington on September 27.
Noting that there are many dimensions to the India-
US strategic partnership, he said, "Nuclear co-
operation is one major initiative. The defence co-
operation which was substantive but at a lower level,
has now been raised to a higher level, is another
dimension of our strategic partnership."
The decision came against the backdrop of America's
wish to "replicate" Russia in joint development of
defence equipment with India like Brahmos missiles.
Asked whether this could create apprehensions among
India's old defence partners like Russia, Khurshid
asserted that this initiative with the US is not at the
expense of those already having ties in this area.
"Everybody knows that we have to diversify and
expand. But we do not do this at the cost of
traditional friend of ours. There is massive co-
operation between India and Russia, which continues
apace," the Minister said, adding "that is not going to
be affected".
He pointed out that Russia too deals with the US. The
declaration spells out the intent for enhancing
partnership in defence technology transfer, research,
co-development and co-production.
"The two sides look forward to the identification of
specific opportunities for cooperative and collaborative
projects in advanced defence technologies and
systems, within the next year," the Joint Declaration on
Defence Cooperation said.
The two countries share common security interests and
place each other at the same level as their closest
partners, it said.
The same principle will apply with respect to defence
technology transfer, trade, research, co-development
and co-production for defence articles and services,
including the most advanced and sophisticated
technology, it said.
The declaration said the both countries "will work to
improve licensing processes, and, where applicable,
follow expedited license approval processes to
facilitate this cooperation. The US and India are also
committed to protecting each other's sensitive
technology and information".
source economicstimesofindia.com
with America will add "more muscle" to the
bilateral strategic partnership.
NEW YORK: Days after agreeing on joint development
and production in the field of defence with the US,
India has said the first-of-its-kind of initiative with
America will add "more muscle" to the bilateral
strategic partnership but it is not at the expense of
traditional friend Russia.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said the
defence cooperation between India and the US has
been at a lower level despite the two countries having
engagement in a wide range of areas and it will be
upgraded by the Defence Declaration issued after
meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and
President Barack Obama last week.
"I think, it gives major substance to our strategic
partnership," he told the PTI in an interview here
about the decision under which the two countries will
undertake joint development and production of
defence equipment with transfer of technology from
the US.
"It (joint defence declaration) gives more muscle (to
India-US relationship), gives it more content, more
strength and I think it gives it more traction," said
Khurshid, who was part of the Indian delegation in the
Summit meeting between Singh and Obama in
Washington on September 27.
Noting that there are many dimensions to the India-
US strategic partnership, he said, "Nuclear co-
operation is one major initiative. The defence co-
operation which was substantive but at a lower level,
has now been raised to a higher level, is another
dimension of our strategic partnership."
The decision came against the backdrop of America's
wish to "replicate" Russia in joint development of
defence equipment with India like Brahmos missiles.
Asked whether this could create apprehensions among
India's old defence partners like Russia, Khurshid
asserted that this initiative with the US is not at the
expense of those already having ties in this area.
"Everybody knows that we have to diversify and
expand. But we do not do this at the cost of
traditional friend of ours. There is massive co-
operation between India and Russia, which continues
apace," the Minister said, adding "that is not going to
be affected".
He pointed out that Russia too deals with the US. The
declaration spells out the intent for enhancing
partnership in defence technology transfer, research,
co-development and co-production.
"The two sides look forward to the identification of
specific opportunities for cooperative and collaborative
projects in advanced defence technologies and
systems, within the next year," the Joint Declaration on
Defence Cooperation said.
The two countries share common security interests and
place each other at the same level as their closest
partners, it said.
The same principle will apply with respect to defence
technology transfer, trade, research, co-development
and co-production for defence articles and services,
including the most advanced and sophisticated
technology, it said.
The declaration said the both countries "will work to
improve licensing processes, and, where applicable,
follow expedited license approval processes to
facilitate this cooperation. The US and India are also
committed to protecting each other's sensitive
technology and information".
source economicstimesofindia.com