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| US SecDef: Ash Carter |
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, April 12, 2016 — Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in New Delhi, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a readout released following the meeting.
Carter and Modi reaffirmed the strategic importance of the U.S.-India defense relationship and their commitment to realizing the strategic partnership as one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century, Cook said.
The two leaders discussed the secretary's trip to Goa, and to Karwar Naval Base and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya -- a first for a U.S. defense secretary -- as well as a range of security issues, the press secretary said.
Carter shared with Modi his views on the military-to-military ties between the two countries and his optimism regarding expanded cooperation in the future, he said. The defense secretary also highlighted recent advances in the U.S.-India defense relationship, including today's agreement in principle on logistics cooperation and a new maritime security dialogue.
“The prime minister and the secretary agreed that continued collaboration on defense technology, including aircraft carrier design and jet engines, will open new opportunities for co-development and co-production and further elevate the relationship,” Cook said. “The secretary also highlighted how impressed he was with the Indian entrepreneurs and innovators he met with during a breakfast roundtable in New Delhi.”
During their meeting, the prime minister and Carter set priorities to further implement the Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions, reflecting the growing strategic convergence between the U.S. rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region and India's "Act East," the press secretary said
“The secretary reinforced his view that India, like the United States, seeks to be a net exporter of security,” Cook said, “and the two countries will continue to work with other partners to shape a regional security architecture that will allow all to rise and prosper.”