8th Indo-US defence cooperation meet held

India and United States, on February 26, held the eighth round of Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) Inter Agency Task Force meeting in New Delhi. The DTTI meeting started in 2012 as part of lndo-US bilateral defence cooperation and was co-chaired by Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Vice Admiral A K Jain and Acting Director, International Cooperation Matthew Warren.

The DTTI, brain child of former US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter, is aimed at bringing "sustained leadership focus to the bilateral defence trade relationship and create opportunities for co-production and co-development of defence equipment." Under this initiative, a number of Joint Working Groups have been started for various defence projects. The Working Groups meet regularly to discuss and take forward the projects. In 2017 US, through the National Defence Authorisation Act, declared India as a major defence partner.

Vice Admiral A K Jain, during the meeting, brought out that India's Defence Industry was in a growing stage and looking to acquire niche technology in manufacturing defence weapons and equipment. This will also give a boost to India's flagship 'Make in India' initiative.

His Co-chair, Matthew Warren highlighted that defence cooperation between the two countries is continuing to make progress. Both sides understand the importance of DTTI in this respect and it is a good forum for mutual cooperation to take ahead the defence ties between the two sides.