New Delhi [India], March 25 (ANI): India and the United States on Wednesday discussed ways to further strengthen their defense ties during the 18th Defense Policy Group meeting held in New Delhi.
The meeting was led by Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby. The two sides held discussions on ongoing defense deals, including India’s plans to acquire six additional P-8I anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
“The 18th India-U.S. Defense Policy Group meeting was held in New Delhi today. Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby co-chaired the talks. Both sides reviewed ongoing initiatives, identified priority areas for co-development and co-production of defense equipment, and reaffirmed commitment to enhancing military-to-military cooperation through joint exercises, training visits, and strategic exchanges,” the Ministry of Defence said.
The two sides also discussed the Excalibur precision-guided artillery ammunition, for which India has signed a Rs 300 crore deal under the emergency procurement route. The Indian side urged U.S. officials to ensure timely delivery of the precision-guided shells to the Indian Army.
India is also looking to finalize a deal to procure Javelin anti-tank guided missiles from the United States through the emergency route.
In addition, the Indian Navy is in discussions with the U.S. for the procurement of six more P-8I surveillance aircraft. The Rs 30,000 crore deal has been under negotiation for some time and is expected to be concluded soon. (ANI)
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