Question : Enduring Defence Ties with US

(a) whether United States requested / seeks enduring defence ties with the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) the details of changes that have taken place post designation of India as ‘major defence partner’ of the US in 2016;

(d) the details of strategy being drawn with the strategic partnership of US to initiate action against Haqqani network, LeT, etc.; and

(e) the details of joint exercises, policy coordination and military exchanges that have taken place between US and India during the last three years?

MINISTER OF STATE (DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
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(a) & (b): India and the United States have been engaging constructively on defence cooperation. Defence ties were revitalised with the signing of “New Framework for the US-India Defence Relationship” in 2005 and the resulting intensification in cooperation on defence equipment, joint exercises, specialised exchanges, cooperation in maritime security and counter-piracy and other exchanges. The Defence Framework was updated and renewed for another 10 years in June 2015.

(c) In June 2016, the U.S. recognised India as a “Major Defence Partner”, and committed to facilitate technology sharing and industry collaboration for defence co-production and co-development. In the consideration of the

National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA), 2017 by the US House of Representatives, an amendment seeking, inter alia, to recognize India as a major defence partner of the US, and to enhance India-US defence cooperation was adopted.

(d) India and US have committed to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats. There is active cooperation on counter-terrorism with regard to groups like LeT and other prescribed terrorist groups. The United States has also designated Syed Salahuddin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist and Hizbul Mujahideen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2017. The inaugural India-U.S. Designations Dialogue was held in New Delhi in December 2017 to enhance bilateral cooperation on terrorism-related designations, including exchange of information on procedures for pursuing designations against terrorist groups and individuals through domestic and international mechanisms and best practices for effective implementation of the designations.

(e) Joint Military Exercises during last three years include Joint Army Exercises Yudh Abhyas and Vajra Prahar held annually; India-US-Japan Exercise Malabar held annually; Multilateral Exercise RIMPAC 2016 off the coast of Hawaii, USA; and Indian Air Force participation in Exercise Red Flag in 2016 in USA. Both countries have established a range of consultative mechanisms for policy dialogue and coordination including regular Defence Ministerial exchanges; Defence Policy Group at Defence Secretary level; Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) and other institutional forums. A wide variety of training and specialized subject matter exchanges between the armed forces are held regularly.

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