DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2015 –
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel issued a statement today
applauding agreements on defense cooperation between the United States and
India, announced by President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi.
Hagel's statement reads as follows:
"Today, on his historic visit to India, President Obama
and Prime Minister Modi announced new, ground-breaking agreements on defense
cooperation between India and the United States that promise to open a new
chapter in our defense relationship and mark an important milestone in the
U.S.-India strategic partnership.
"By finalizing the renewal of our 10-year framework for
the U.S.-India Defense Relationship, we will continue to build on the growing
momentum in our defense cooperation over the last decade. This renewed
framework will support stronger military-to-military engagement, including
deeper maritime cooperation and increased opportunities in technology and
trade.
"By establishing a new military education partnership,
we will help shape the next generation of military leaders in both our nations,
fostering relationships that will draw our defense establishments closer
together for years to come.
"And by agreeing under the Defense Technology and Trade
Initiative (DTTI) to focus on four 'pathfinder' projects; form a working group
to explore aircraft carrier technology sharing and design; and explore possible
cooperation on development of jet engine technology, we will begin to realize
the enormous potential of the U.S.-India defense industrial partnership. We
have further strengthened this partnership with an agreement that will allow us
to continue science and technology collaboration for the next 15 years.
"Taken together, the president's announcements signal a
new depth and sophistication in our defense and security cooperation, ensuring
that it continues to be one of the strongest pillars of our nations' broad
strategic partnership - a partnership that will help forge security and
stability in Asia and across the globe."