The Bureau of the Political-Military Affairs (PM) of the US Department of State on June 4 issued a fact sheet titled “US Security Cooperation With India” stating that “India plays a vital role in the US vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” and adding the US would advance its defense trade relationship and broader security partnership with the country.
According to the fact sheet, the US has supported the increase in total defense trade with India, which was at zero over a decade ago and now stands at $15 billion for 2019. In 2016, the US designated India as a Major Defense Partner. In 2018, India was granted Strategic Trade Authorization tier 1 status, which allows it to receive license-free access to a wide range of military and dual-use technologies that are regulated by the Department of Commerce.Read More…