Lok Sabha Question No. 4306 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Enduring Defence Ties with US
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4306

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST  MARCH, 2018

## ENDURING DEFENCE TIES WITH US

4306.  SHRI  RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (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?

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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

:  2  :

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 Flag in 2016 in  USA.  Both countries  have established a range

- 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 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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