'India-US bilateral defence trade to reach USD 18 billion this year'

The bilateral trade between India and United States is expected to reach $18 billion by the year-end Pentagon said on Saturday. Ellen M Lord, Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and sustainment, said that the United States is committed to strengthening its partnership with India and furthering the Military to Military relationship and cooperation. Her statement comes ahead of the ninth India-US Defence Technologies and Trade Initiative or DTTI group meeting in New Delhi.

While speaking to the reporters at the Pentagon, Ellen M Lord said that the bilateral trade was 'zero' in 2008 is expected to reach USD 18 billion this year. Ellen M Lord is also expected to visit the National capital New Delhi next week. “As the US Department of Defense leads for DTTI, I’m excited to continue working with our Indian major defence partner,” Lord stated. She also said that the US granted the India Strategic Trade Authority Tier 1 designation in August, this move provided New Delhi with a greater supply chain efficiency and allowed the American companies to export greater range of Dual-use and high-technology products to India.

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“This grants India the same authorisation as NATO allies Japan, South Korea and Australia. All of these examples show how the United States and India are working bilaterally and in cooperation with other like-minded partners to advance our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific,” Lord added. While responding to a question, she said that the US is developing new capabilities together for production in India. 

India and US military relations

Over the years India and United States have signed agreements to promote military cooperation between the two countries. The first of the four agreements, the General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), was signed by India and the U.S. in 2002. The agreement enables the sharing of military intelligence between the two countries and requires each country to protect the others' classified information. The second agreement, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), was signed by the two countries on August 29, 2016. The third agreement, Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) were signed during the inaugural 2+2 dialogue in September 2018. 

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(With agency inputs)