The Indian Chief of Defence Staff, CDS General Anil Chauhan held a video call interaction with the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USIPACOM) head, Admiral John C Aquillino and discussed defence cooperation and contemporary security challenges, defence officials said. Both the officials also discussed ongoing defence cooperation and strategic interests.
Indo-US Defence Cooperation
In December 2023, to maintain deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and assisting India in bolstering its defence modernization plans, the US deployed cutting edge military capabilities to its allies. Calling 2023 as a decisive year, the US Department of Defence (USDOD) said in its official release that supporting allies and partners as they invest in capabilities. Bolstering India’s defence modernization plans, including by advancing the priorities outlined in the roadmap of for US -India Defence Industrial Cooperation, the release read.
Under the US-India Defence Industrial Roadmap Cooperation both nations will co-produce fighter jet engines and Stryker Armored Vehicles as well as launch the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) to promote partnerships between Indian and US are researchers, entrepreneur and investors.
“The United States is joining together with the Indo-Pacific allies and partners in ways that strengthen peace and security across the region, including by operating together like never before, the US DOD release said. It said that is modernizing the scope our military engagements like never before, the US Department of Defence release said.
It said that India is modernising the scope of its military engagements. “India modernizing the scope our military engagements including by incorporating advanced fighter aircraft and strategic bombers in our exercise which strengthens interoperability and highlights shared efforts to promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.
The Defence Minister’s year ender fact sheet also highlighted the defence exercise MALABAR of the US, with India, Japan and Australia. It was hosted in Australia for the first time this year and facilitated high end training in anti-submarine exercises, communications and air defence.
Role of ASEAN
“The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including through capacity-building programs and training courses to support the incorporation of Women, Peace, and Security principles into regional security planning and operations, as well as an emerging leaders fellowship program for young civilian and defence leaders in the Indo-Pacific,” the release said, pointing to several training courses that take place to ensure the security of the Indo-Pacific region.
The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) including through capacity building programs and training courses to support the incorporation of Women, Peace and Security principles into regional security planning and operations as well as emerging leaders fellowship program for young civilian and defence leaders in the Indo-Pacific.
“Investing over USD 12 Billion in security cooperation initiatives across the Indo-Pacific Region, including one of the largest US initiatives in history to bolster Indo-Pacific Partners capability and capacity, maritime domain awareness and resilience against coercion,” the release added.
