New Delhi (NVI): India and the US are poised to take their defence ties to the next level and achieve tangible results in near future, the 9th Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) meeting between the two countries was informed here on October 24.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary (Defence Production) Subhash Chandra said that while DTTI has been an ongoing process, both sides were now poised to actually achieve tangible outcomes.
The shared values that form the bedrock of stable relations between the two sides have led to deepening of defence ties. The Government of India remains committed to continually engage with the US government and facilitate cooperation between the defence industries of both nations, he said.
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment of the United States, Ellen M Lord said that the US National Defence Strategy envisages strengthening defence alliances and partnerships.
She said, the DTTI has now matured enough where its varied activities could be translated into accomplishments. Adding that the interface of the industry with DTTI would provide necessary fillip to various projects under consideration.
These meetings are held to bring leadership focus to the bilateral defence trade relationship and create opportunities for co-production and co-development of defence equipment, an official statement said.
The Joint Working Groups, established under DTTI to progress mutually agreed projects for the Armed Forces, provided status update during the meeting.
Engagement with the industry remains a key focus of DTTI for both the sides and measures to achieve this goal were also discussed.
A significant achievement of the meeting was the signing of ‘Statement of Intent’ with respect to key deliverables in the near, medium and long terms. This will assist in bringing sustained focus on some of the projects and signal commitment of both sides towards continued collaboration on mutually beneficial issues, an official statement said.
–rb
