US reaffirms its support for India’s NSG membership

WASHINGTON: The United State's has reaffirmed its support for India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group during Indian defence minister's visit to Pentagon here on Monday.   

India's Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar met with the US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter and discussed the "wealth of progress in bilateral cooperation and the deepening strategic partnership" between the two countries.   

A joint statement after the meeting claimed that the defence relationship between India and the United States is based on the two countries' shared values and interests, and their abiding commitment to global peace and security. This was the sixth interaction between the defence leaders since Prime Minster Modi took over. 

"The visit demonstrates the importance both sides place on strengthening defence ties across many areas: from increased strategic and regional cooperation, to deepened military-to-military exchanges, to expanded collaboration on defence technology and innovation," the statement said.

Both leaders also discussed India’s “Major Defence Partner” designation, which was announced during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Washington in June. They agreed on the importance this framework will provide to facilitate innovative and advanced opportunities in defence technology and trade cooperation.  "To this end, the United States has agreed to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with its closest allies and partners," the statement declared. 

 According to the release sent by the Pentagon, Secretary Carter and Minister Parrikar welcomed the decision at the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) meeting in Delhi in July to set up five new joint working groups on: naval systems; air systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; chemical and biological protection; and other systems. "They also noted the signing of an information exchange annex under the framework of the Aircraft Carrier Joint Working Group. Secretary Carter and Minister Parrikar also agreed to continue  their close consultation on “Make in India” proposals," it said.