NEW DELHI, May 24 (ANI) — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday highlighted the importance of incorporating the “Make in India” initiative into future defense cooperation with the United States.
He made the remarks during a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New Delhi.
Detailing discussions on the broad-ranging relationship between India and the United States, Jaishankar said, “Where defense and security cooperation is concerned, you are all aware that the 10-year major defense partnership framework agreement was recently renewed. A comprehensive underwater domain awareness roadmap was also signed.”
“We discussed the importance of taking into account the Make in India approach and lessons drawn from recent conflicts while moving forward in the defense domain,” he added.
India and the United States signed the “Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership” in October last year on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The agreement is expected to usher in a new phase in the already strong defense partnership between the two countries by providing a unified vision and policy direction to deepen defense cooperation over the next decade.
Jaishankar also noted that discussions were held on energy cooperation between the two nations.
The external affairs minister emphasized the government’s responsibility to address the needs of India’s 1.4 billion people.
“Ensuring the accessibility and affordability of energy for them is our prime objective. Secretary Rubio and I therefore welcome the expansion in our energy trade in recent months. Diversified supplies are at the heart of energy security for India,” he said.
“We devoted some time to nuclear energy cooperation as well. The passage of the Shanti Act has opened up new possibilities. We hope to realize the potential of cooperation in the nuclear domain. I also raised with the Secretary some regulatory issues that we have on the American side,” Jaishankar added.
On critical minerals, Jaishankar said India and the United States have been cooperating both bilaterally and through larger forums such as the Quad and the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative.
He also referred to the Global AI Impact Summit held earlier this year in New Delhi, saying it highlighted the significant potential of the India-U.S. partnership.
“As India’s semiconductor and AI capabilities advance, this cooperation will become even more prominent in the days to come,” he said.
Amid a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment, Jaishankar said discussions later in the day would focus on recent developments in the Gulf region, the conflict in Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific.
He reiterated India’s position on regional and global conflicts, emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred path forward. He also reaffirmed support for safe and unimpeded maritime commerce, respect for international law, opposition to the weaponization of market shares and resources, and the importance of trusted partnerships and resilient supply chains to reduce risks in the global economy. (ANI)
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