During the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore, United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin praised the ties between the US and India. He stated that the current relationship with India is stronger than ever before. Additionally, he highlighted that the two nations are collaborating on the production of armoured vehicles.

Addressing Asia’s premier security summit, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin revealed that the idea to authorise India for building jet engines for fighter aircraft originated years ago. He highlighted the advancements made in collaboration with India, particularly in co-producing fighter jet engines and armoured vehicles.

During the dialogue, Secretary of Defence Austin expressed optimism about the current state of the US-India bilateral relationship, noting that it is as strong as, or even better than, it has ever been. He highlighted the significant progress made in the relationship, particularly in the realm of defence cooperation.

Austin recounted the challenges faced in gaining approval for India to build jet engines for fighter aircraft, a venture he was personally involved in due to his previous role on the board of a company manufacturing such engines. Despite initial scepticism, this endeavour was successfully accomplished, leading to India's involvement in the production of fighter jet engines.

Additionally, Austin mentioned the ongoing collaboration between the US and India in co-producing armoured vehicles. He also indicated that the utilisation of new technology and training resources is aimed at benefitting countries in South East Asia.

The US Defence Secretary highlighted the ongoing momentum in bilateral ties between the US and India, emphasising the shared values that serve as the foundation for their progress. He expressed confidence that this positive trajectory will not only continue but also accelerate, benefiting both nations and the broader region.

Austin underscored the enduring nature of the relationship, noting that the strong ties between the two countries are deeply rooted and built upon a common vision and values. He anticipated that this momentum would have a lasting impact.

The Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual security conference held in Singapore by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), serves as a key platform for intergovernmental discussions on security issues.

Earlier in April, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin hailed the collaboration between the US and India in producing jet weapons as revolutionary. He also highlighted the joint production of armoured vehicles, stating that such collaborative efforts would enhance the capabilities of both countries.

In a landmark agreement revealed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US in June last year, General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics signed an MoU to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. Earlier this year, US GE announced a partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to jointly manufacture engines in India for Indian Air Force fighter jets.

In February of this year, the Biden Administration notified the US Congress of its intent to sell arms valued at nearly 4 billion dollars, primarily consisting of MQ-9B drones armed with Hellfire missiles.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency, an agency within the US Department of Defence, stated in a press release that the sale aims to strengthen the strategic relationship between the US and India.

The agency further highlighted that New Delhi continues to play a significant role in promoting political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region.

Image source: ANI