U.S and India Strengthening Security Relations – Israel is worried

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With U.S. designating India as a Major Defence Partner (MDP), licensing regulations to acquire sensitive military technologies, such as those that go into the F-16 and F-18 fighter jets, will be simplified.

According to thehindu.com, an official said recently that the designation formalizes the cooperation achieved so far between the two countries.

This is a unique designation conferred on India, not a NATO member or a U.S. treaty partner such as Australia and Japan. Earlier, the U.S. Congress passed the National Defence Authorisation Act to enhance defence and security cooperation with India. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and U.S. Defence Secretary Ashton Carter agreed on the provisions of the designation in New Delhi.

This comes at a time when India is considering proposals for a new fighter aircraft to be built under the “Make in India” initiative, in significant numbers, with technology transfer. U.S. aerospace majors Boeing and Lockheed have submitted proposals to build their F-18 and F-16 fighter jets.

A senior official at the Pentagon, with experience in defence acquisition and technology, will be designated to make matters in India more effective. Officials said the designation is seen as a way to bring India on the same level as the U.S. treaty allies, in the absence of a formal treaty between the two countries.

Officials have expressed confidence that the progress achieved under initiatives such as the Defence Technology Trade Initiative (DTTI) and the India Rapid Reaction Cell (IRRC) in the Pentagon would continue in the next U.S. administration as it is now enshrined in the U.S. law. India and the U.S. are expected to announce a major new project under the DTTI.

India has been a huge potential market for the Israeli defence industries. The developing close relations between the U.S and India is worrying the Israeli defence industries.