India & US Reaffirm Vows to Fight Terrorism on James Mattis’ Visit

US Defence Secretary James Mattis with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@USAmbIndia)

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Power Games in South China Sea

While speaking at the annual Shangri La Dialogue, General Mattis quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he put forth his point on freedom of navigation in the South China sea.

We recognise India as a strategic partnership and its role in stabilising the region.

Describing India as a key piece in the “jigsaw puzzle” for the US, top American think tank Atlantic Council urged the Trump administration to prioritise its ties with India.

Given the advancement China has made both economically and militarily, the US will need to channel considerable resources to assert its global and regional primacy… To accomplish this, India remains a key piece in the jigsaw for the US President Trump will need to assure India that it is not merely a regional prop to balance Beijing’s power in the region, but a top priority for US foreign policy under the Trump administration.

Atlantic Council

Updated at:26th Sep, 2017 at 9:17 AM

Deal for the Sea Guardian Drone?

According to an NDTV report, the sale of 22 Sea Guardian reconnaissance drones to India would be discussed on priority during the Defence Secretary's visit. The potential acquisition of these remotely-piloted vehicles assumes significance in the context of maritime security, especially considering China's muscle-flexing in the Indian Ocean with submarines.

Regarding this, officials were quoted by NDTV as saying:

Sea Guardian is top of Secretary Mattis’ agenda... Maritime security is of common interest due to Chinese aggression with submarines in the Indian Ocean, so this platform is a military and diplomatic message to all. 

Updated at:26th Sep, 2017 at 9:17 AM

Hard Selling F-16s

Though the US has got defence contracts worth more than $15 billion since 2007, it is looking to capture a larger share of the Indian market. General Mattis will hope to get India to commit to purchase the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 aircraft under the bilateral Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).

The US Air Force stopped buying F-16 fighter planes in 1999. Ever since, the production of the fighter jets has been steadily declining. According to The Hindu Business Line, Lockheed Martin has committed to offering India the most upgraded version of the fighter jet – F-16 Block 70 – the production line of which will be established in India in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, while shutting down its assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas.

However, since the company is unlikely to transfer proprietary technologies or even guarantee the performance of any Indian-made F-16, it is unlikely to sit with Indian negotiators.

Incidentally, Pakistan got China to study its F-16s and reverse engineer many of its technologies. Even the upgraded F-16 Block 70 may not pass muster in comparison to the Pakistan Air Force’s version.

Not surprisingly, the F-16 was the first to be dropped by the Indian Air Force while shortlisting aircraft for Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) acquisition.

The other contender is Sweden’s SAAB with the Gripen E, which made its maiden flight in June 2017. But, Bharat Karnad notes how Washington could veto Sweden’s sale.

Depending on how keen the Trump administration is to close US’ $24.3 billion 2016 trade deficit with India, Washington could veto Sweden’s sale of Gripen aircraft and technologies as 35 to 40 percent of the components of this aircraft are sourced from the US.

Bharat Karnad in HT

Updated at:26th Sep, 2017 at 9:17 AM

Sitharaman Receives Mattis

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman receives US Defence Secretary James Mattis.

Updated at:26th Sep, 2017 at 11:29 AM

James Mattis Paid Homage at India's WWI Memorial at the India Gate

Updated at:26th Sep, 2017 at 11:29 AM

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Delegation-Level Talks Begin

Delegation-level talks between Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and US Defence Secretary James Mattis begins.

Updated at:26th Sep, 2017 at 12:15 PM

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Address After Meeting With James Mattis

Reaffirming US’ stance, General Mattis said terror havens should not be tolerated and “as global leaders, India and the US resolve to work together to eradicate this scourge.”

We value India’s invaluable contribution to Afghanistan and welcome further efforts to promote Afghanistan’s democracy,safety and security. We appreciate India’s leadership in the Indian Ocean and seek to work together to build a resilient regional architecture.

General James Mattis, US Defence Secretary

Addressing the press conference after the delegation-level meeting, Sitharaman said, “India will expand development activities, but there will be no boots on the ground in Afghanistan.”

India-US share strong and vibrant strategic partnership as world’s largest democracies also share similar fundamental values and interests. Cooperation in defence equipment grew steadily over past years. US is now a leading state-of-the art defence equipment supplier to India.

Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Minister

Speaking about terrorism, Sitharaman resounded the similar sentiments as Mattis’. She said:

We both recognise the importance of holding those who use terror as state policy to account and to dismantle infra that supports terrorism.

Updated at:26th Sep, 2017 at 4:08 PM

James Mattis Calls on PM Narendra Modi

India and the US on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to combat the global scourge of terrorism when visiting US Defense Secretary James Mattis called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on 26 September.

(Photo: ANI)

(Photo: ANI)

(Photo: ANI)

Updated at:27th Sep, 2017 at 12:06 PM

US Defence Secretary James Mattis arrived in New Delhi to hold bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. He also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit.

During Mattis’s visit, India made it clear to the US that it won't deploy troops in war-torn Afghanistan even as New Delhi and Washington pledged to eradicate the "scourge" of terrorism and to hold to account those who use it as an instrument of state policy, in an apparent reference to Pakistan.

Sitharaman said both India and the US had suffered losses due to terrorism and "one aspect of this is universally shared by all responsible nations that there shall be no safe havens for terror". She urged the US Defence Secretary to "speak out and raise this issue" on his next visit to Pakistan.

• US Defence Secretary James Mattis arrived in India on 25 September
  
• This is the Trump administration’s first high-level visit to India
  
• Mattis met his counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman and PM Modi during his visit
  
• He lauded India’s efforts in Afghanistan, while Sitharaman lauded the US’ new Afghan strategy
  
• The two countries reaffirmed commitment to combating terrorism during his visit
  
• India and the US also discussed maritime security in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region
  

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Updated at:27th Sep, 2017 at 12:05 PM