Major Announcements Are Planned During PM Modi's US Visit, Setting New Standards For Bilateral Relations: Pentagon

According to the Pentagon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US this month will establish new standards for bilateral relations. During the meeting, significant developments regarding defence industrial cooperation and expanding India's homegrown military base are anticipated, it was said. Beginning on June 22, Prime Minister Modi will make his first state visit to the US at President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden's invitation. The US President and First Lady will throw a state dinner for the Prime Minister during the four-day visit, according to news agency PTI.

In a panel discussion on Thursday at the Centre for New American Security, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner said, "I think Prime Minister Modi's travel to Washington later in the month will be a historic visit, setting new milestones for the relationship. I believe that the visit will be remembered in a similar way to how the Japan Two plus Two earlier this year was a turning point in the friendship. People will remember Prime Minister Modi's visit as a major turning point in US-India ties.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and NSA Ajit Doval introduced the initiative for critical and emerging technology (iCET) in January to improve bilateral technological cooperation. Both countries are working to improve the iCET's robust defence component, according to PTI.

Ratner continued, "I know there have been previous attempts at this. Sometimes people wonder if something will actually happen this time. My response is that, in my opinion, all indications are that, in terms of specific initiatives involving defence industrial cooperation, the prime minister's visit will result in some really major, historic, and exciting announcements.

We are also improving our operational cooperation in a variety of locations, he stated. There is a lot of focus on the Indian Ocean, the underwater domain, new domains like cyber and space, and new information-sharing initiatives. It's pretty astounding to see how far the US-India relationship has come in the previous several decades when you look at its evolution. This is more true than ever.

Referring to PM Modi's trip as "historic," Ratner argued that PM Modi's visit to Washington will strengthen US-India defence cooperation and increase security in the Indo-Pacific.

Realizing that vision requires a strong US-India collaboration, which is an essential component. Both sides agree that in order to realise this vision, a tighter relationship will be necessary, both from India's and the US's perspectives.

Ratner emphasised the value of a strong India that can protect its own interests and contribute to regional security through collaborative defence activities while highlighting the shared benefits of the US-India cooperation. He talked on the importance of an integrated partnership working in the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, and possibly the Western Pacific. Furthering US interests would be a closer alliance with Southeast Asian allies as well as partners in the Philippines, Australia, Japan, and Australia.

Ratner emphasised the importance of a powerful India that is capable of defending its own interests and enhancing regional security through cooperative defence actions while underlining the mutual advantages of US-India collaboration. He stressed the significance of an integrated cooperation operating in the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and possibly the Western Pacific. A tighter partnership with allies in Southeast Asia as well as allies in the Philippines, Australia, Japan, and Australia would serve to further US objectives.