International

India, U.S. expanding bilateral defence cooperation

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington May 10. Cooperation between India and the United States in defence and security has been one of the "fastest'' sectors in the overall bilateral relationship with the width and depth expected to expand significantly in the near future, diplomats and analysts say.

And one of the significant aspects of this Republican administration has been that it is willing to look at India beyond a South Asia context in the larger canvas of defence and security issues and relationship. A multi-tier structure of defence cooperation has been put in place and one that encompasses not merely training exercises but also specific groups on the two sides dealing with technical and technology issues, including transfer of technology.

There are six different levels within the bilateral defence cooperation: between the Defence Minister of India and the U.S. Defence Secretary; the defence policy group; the military coordination group; the executive steering groups; the security cooperation group which deals with technological aspects; and the joint technical group.

What is being pointed out is the willingness of the United States to look at India beyond its own Pacific Command in Hawaii; and in the ways the Pentagon has been receiving the civilian and military brass from India. "It is really unprecedented'', remarked a top Indian diplomat here. The bilateral defence cooperation has merited the close attention of the administration starting with the U.S. President, George W. Bush, and including the Defence Secretary, the Secretary of State and the National Security Advisor.

One of the emphasis of this Republican administration has been to look at India within common strategic objectives in the Indian Ocean area. For instance, this October the United States and India will hold the Malabar series of naval exercises in the Indian Ocean or the Arabian Sea and for the first time a Cruiser Destroyer Group of three or four ships and maritime reconnaissance aircraft will participate.

India and the United States are also scheduled to have joint exercises — of special forces — in Agra and later this year at Alaska. A critical component of the expanding bilateral defence cooperation has been in the realm of procurement, the latest agreement being on the Firefinding Radar, or the ANTPQ 37 which was finalised during the meeting of the Security Cooperation Group. One of the things stressed here is that while every single item under Foreign Military Sales has to be notified to Congress, every effort is being taken to simplify the process. More importantly, in the context of the newly emerging relationship, there is no intention either in the administration or Congress to stop sales to India. "There is no intent to stop but the procedural time frame will have to be kept in mind'', remarked a senior diplomat.

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