News Report: Mattis Hails ‘Historic’ Opportunity to Expand US-India Ties

William Gallo

NEW DELHI — U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis took steps to reinforce a quickly growing defense partnership with India on Tuesday, declaring the relationship has “never been stronger.”

During meetings with senior Indian officials in New Delhi, Mattis stressed that the United States and India are “natural strategic partners who share common values and interests.”

“This is, again, a historic opportunity for our two democracies, a time of strategic convergence,” Mattis said alongside his Indian counterpart, Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The U.S. sees India as a counterweight to the rising influence of China, and hopes to persuade New Delhi to become more involved in bringing stability to Afghanistan.

“We applaud India’s invaluable contributions to Afghanistan, and welcome further efforts to promote Afghanistan’s democracy, stability, and security,” Mattis said.

Pakistan, India’s longtime rival, opposes New Delhi’s expanded involvement in Afghanistan, fearing a future war with its strategic rival, (India), on two fronts.

Sitharaman on Tuesday downplayed those concerns, pointing out that most of India’s support for Afghanistan has been non-military.

“We have made it very clear that there shall not be boots from India on the ground,” Sitharaman said.

India has invested billions of dollars in Afghanistan, mostly in sectors such as health, education and infrastructure. India also recently agreed to expand its support for Afghan defense forces, which includes training of Afghan army personnel.

News Report: Mattis Arrives in India to Discuss Troubled Arms Deals, Role in Afghanistan

US Secretary of Defense James Mattis has arrived in New Delhi to discuss arms sales and India’s involvement in Afghanistan in his first visit since Donald Trump became president of the United States.

Mattis arrived in India late Monday to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who assumed office earlier in September.

"India from our perspective is clearly a pillar of regional stability and security: we share a common vision for a peaceful and prosperous future in the Indo-Pacific region," Mattis said in an interview during his flight, according to the Gulf Times.

According to various media reports, there are two major topics on Mattis's agenda: arms sales and Afghanistan.

In general, India is in need of a sizable and diverse fleet of planes, drones and helicopters. The issue is complicated by Modi's "Make in India" policy, under which India seeks to replace off-the-shelf purchases of military tech with the establishment of joint production on Indian soil. Some experts argue New Delhi actually seeks to acquire the technology itself, something the US is reluctant to provide.

News Report: Mattis Visits South Asia Amid Afghanistan Shakeup

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis

William Gallo

NEW DELHI — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is in South Asia for the first time since the White House unveiled its new strategy for the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan.

The Pentagon chief landed Monday in India’s capital, where he will meet with senior leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mattis is hoping to deepen Washington’s quickly growing defense relationship with New Delhi. One area of cooperation could be Afghanistan, where the U.S. is in a deadlock with the Taliban after 16 years.

President Donald Trump has called on New Delhi to do more in Afghanistan – a call that has upset New Delhi’s longtime rival, Pakistan.

On his flight, Mattis praised India’s “invaluable” historic contributions to Afghanistan, and said its expanded involvement there shouldn’t be seen as a threat.

“Pakistan has come out recently again saying they are fighting the terrorists. I think Pakistan will find nothing out of line with India and the United States’ alignment in the same fight,” Mattis said.

Mattis’ trip threatens to be overshadowed by the tensions on the Korean peninsula, where North Korea has threatened to conduct an atmospheric hydrogen bomb test over the Pacific Ocean.

“This would be a shocking display of irresponsibility toward global health, toward stability, toward non-proliferation,” Mattis said.

President Trump last week threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea – escalating the standoff over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs.

News Report: India Gearing Up for Two Major Joint Military Exercises With US, Russia

India’s joint military exercises with the world’s superpowers are not reminiscent of muscle-flexing in the region but preparedness for unforeseen contingency globally, says expert.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – India and the United States are currently preparing for a joint military training named Yudh Abhyas — 2017 to be held at the Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington from 14 to 27 September. This will be the 13th edition of the joint exercise hosted alternately between the two countries since 2004. Indian Army has termed the exercise a part of a joint preparation to meet any unforeseen contingency across the globe. 

“Exercise Yudh Abhyas is one of the largest joint running military training and defense corporation endeavors between India and USA. Multiple scenarios will be rehearsed during the joint exercise with a view to understand each other's organizational structure and battle procedures which would result in a higher degree of joint manship that would further facilitate interoperability between the armed forces of both countries to meet any unforeseen contingency across the globe,” Indian Army said in a statement.

News Report: US Lauds Counter-Terrorism Cooperation With India

The US State Department’s annual Country Reports on Terrorism has applauded India’s counter-terrorism efforts in cooperation with the United States.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — The South and Central Asia section of the US State Department Country Reports on Terrorism for 2016 said India and US leaders directed officials to identify new areas of collaboration through the July US-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group and applauded finalization of a bilateral arrangement to facilitate the sharing of terrorism screening information.

"Indian leadership expressed resolve to redouble efforts, in cooperation with the US and other like-minded countries, to bring to justice the perpetrators of terrorism," US State Department's Country Reports on Terrorism 2016 said.

Apart from that, the US report criticized Pakistan for not taking enough actions against those militant groups that target India and Afghanistan, despite being an important counter-terrorism partner.

USA: U.S.-India Defense Relationship on Positive Trajectory, DoD Official Says

By Terri Moon Cronk 

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2017 — The defense relationship between the United States and India is positive and has come a long way in two decades, Cara Abercrombie, deputy assistant secretary of defense for South and Southeast Asia, said today.

Abercrombie discussed the defense and security relationship between the two nations during a panel at the 2017 Global Business Forum in New York City.

The topic comes two weeks after Defense Secretary Jim Mattis met with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi here to discuss the importance of the U.S.-India relationship, and the role of both nations in cooperating to foster democratic laws and principles. During the meeting, Mattis applauded India's long-term efforts to promote stability in the Indian Ocean region and the two leaders pledged to continue the strong defense partnership between both nations and broaden military-to-military engagements.

“Back in early 2000s, defense trade [between India and the U.S.] was zero dollars. We’re now at $15 billion in a relatively short period of time,” Abercrombie said. “We’ve made huge progress, but we’ve just scratched the surface of the potential of this relationship.”

News Story: Pakistan shows concerns over possible U.S.-India arms deal

ISLAMABAD, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Wednesday showed serious concerns at the U.S. arms deal with India, which will disturb military balance in the region, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

The statement came amid reports that a 2 billion-U.S. dollar sale of unarmed drones to the Indian navy will reportedly be approved by the U.S. government soon. The deal came on the occasion of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington.

"Pakistan is also deeply concerned on the sale of advanced military technologies to India. Such sales accentuate military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability in South Asia," the Foreign Ministry said.

The statement also criticized the U.S.-India joint statement issued from Washington on Tuesday, saying that the statement is singularly unhelpful in achieving the objective of strategic stability and durable peace in the South Asian region.

Read the full story at Xinhua

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Story Quote: "The Foreign Ministry said Pakistan has been the primary victim of terrorism in the region and that its contributions and sacrifices in fighting terrorism are un-matched."

PacificSentinel: Pakistan can say this sort of thing all it wants, but since Pakistan created most of the Terrorists in the first place to use against their enemies, they won't get much if any sympathy from anyone.

News Story: Modi's low-expectation U.S. visit turns out to be profitable for India

NEW DELHI, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The Indo-U.S. relations touched new heights following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, the latter's first working dinner with a head of government since taking over in January this year.

President Trump addressed India as a "true friend," cementing ties that had deepened during President Obama's regime with substantial contributions by his predecessors, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

While the meeting had been pegged as a "get to know each other" one by diplomats from both sides, there were a lot of key takeaways for the two countries in the visit. It is being seen incredible by experts keeping in mind the fact that New Delhi and Washington had a face-off earlier this month after President Trump rejected the Paris Agreement on climate change, accusing India of demanding money in exchange of implementing the pact.

With his "low on expectations" visit to the White House, Modi succeeded in winning endorsement of the U.S. on some vital areas of interest for India. The most important of these was a joint agreement by both countries to fight terror globally and what is being allegedly penetrated on Pakistan's soil.

The two leaders vowed to ensure strong cooperation on terrorism. President Trump also issued a message to Pakistan to "expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups."

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: India, US to Jointly Ensure Stability in South China Sea, Indo-Pacific Region

India and the US have vowed to promote stability and ensure the freedom of navigation across the Indo-Pacific region

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Experts said the development is significant as it reinforces American commitment in ensuring the balance of power in the region where China has emerged as a dominant power.

A joint statement issued after the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump’s maiden meeting on Monday in the White House said the two sides will forge close ties to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

“As responsible stewards in the Indo-Pacific region, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi agreed that a close partnership between the United States and India is central to peace and stability in the region,” the joint statement read.

In their discussion, Modi and Trump reiterated their commitment to the “tenets outlined in the UN Charter, they committed to a set of common principles for the region (Indo-Pacific), according to which sovereignty and international law are respected and every country can prosper.”

News Report: India Leans Towards US in 'Standoff Against China in Asia'

There is a relation between the China-India border conflict and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States, experts told Sputnik. Delhi wants to win Washington’s support against China, especially in South Asia.

On June 27, the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused Indian border guards of crossing into its territory from the state of Sikkim on India’s northeastern border with Tibet.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang said Indian guards "obstructed normal activities" by Chinese forces on the border, and called on India to withdraw immediately.

He urged India to respect China’s territorial integrity, adding that such incidents pose a "serious threat" to peace and stability in border areas.

Commentators noted that this was the first incident of the kind since Chinese President Xi Jinping and Modi exchanged visits in 2014 and 2015. After three years of stability, currently there is a new surge in bilateral tensions.

News Report: US, India Leaders Pledge to Boost Security, Trade Ties

Steve Herman

WHITE HOUSE — U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are pledging to work together to boost security and trade ties.

The two countries “look forward to working together on advanced defense equipment and technology at a level commensurate with that of the closest allies and partners of the United States,” according to a White House statement issued Monday evening.

Declaring his talks with the president “very successful and very fruitful,” the visiting Indian prime minister gave his host a trademark bear hug in the White House Rose Garden when the two finished reading their respective statement. They did not take questions from the dozens of White House correspondents and the visiting Indian reporters.

Modi also announced increased cooperation on fighting terrorism, including enhanced sharing of intelligence.

“The top priority for both President Trump and I is to protect our societies from global challenges like terrorism, and our aim is to strengthen India and the United States, the two great democracies of the world,” Modi said alongside Trump.

News Story: 22 drones and a summit - The state of India-US defense ties

By: Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI — The White House symbolically confirmed its policy to treat India as a major defense partner, following its decision to move ahead with the sale to India of 22 Guardian maritime drones worth about $2 billion prior to a June 26 meeting in Washington between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump, say analysts. 

"The fact that the Trump administration made the effort to expeditiously close on the Indian request (for Guardian drones) signals its interest in preserving close relations with India," said Ashley J. Tellis, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 

India requested to buy the 22 drones in late 2016 under the Obama administration, but the former president left the decision to the new administration. India's request also included the purchase of an unknown numbers of armed drones.

India's wish list still includes that import of armed drones from the U.S., but that sale would require "a major policy change," according to Tellis. 

"The United States has a standing prohibition against export of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles. The only exceptions we've made are to allies involved in combined operations. India's need for armed UAVs is great, but it will take a major policy change for the administration to authorize the sale of armed UAVs to India," Tellis said. 

An Indian Ministry of Defence official said the country will now look to Israel for its acquisition of armed drones, rather than wait for a decision from the U.S. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Trump hails U.S.-India relationship after meetings with Modi

WASHINGTON, June 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the U.S.-India relationship "has never been stronger" after holding talks here with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

"India and the United States will always be tied together in friendship and respect," Trump said in a televised remark with Modi in the White House Rose Garden.

Trump welcomed the Indian prime minister for the in-person meeting at the White House and also lauded Modi for leading India toward economic prosperity.

Modi described his talks with Trump as "extremely important," hailing a bilateral relationship that is based on mutual trust and shared values.

"My visit and our talks today will mark a very important page in the history of the collaboration and cooperation between our two nations," Modi said.

"I am sure that under your leadership a mutually beneficial strategic partnership will gain new strength, new positivity, and will reach new heights," Modi told Trump.

This is the first time the two leaders have met face-to-face.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: India, U.S Agree To Strengthen Ties For Peace In Afghanistan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S President Donald Trump on Monday agreed to continue strengthening coordination for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan as they expressed concern over rising instability in the war-torn country.

According to India Today, Trump thanked the Indian people for their "contributions to the effort in Afghanistan, and for joining us (the U.S) in applying new sanctions against the North Korean regime."

Read the full story at TOLOnews

USA: Mattis Meets With India's Prime Minister

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2017 — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi met here today to discuss the importance of the U.S.-India relationship and the role of both nations in cooperating to foster democratic laws and principles, chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White said. 

In a statement summarizing the meeting, White said Mattis applauded India's long-term efforts to promote stability in the Indian Ocean region.

"The two pledged to continue the strong defense partnership between both nations and broaden military to military engagements," she added.

US DoD

USA: Possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India for C-17 transport aircraft

An Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster in flight (File Photo)

WASHINGTON, Jun. 26, 2017 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India for C-17 transport aircraft. The estimated cost is $366.2 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of India has requested the possible sale of one (1) C-17 transport aircraft with four (4) Turbofan F-117-PW-100 engines. The sale would also include one (1) AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System, one (1) AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS), one (1) AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponder, precision navigation equipment, spare and repair parts, maintenance, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, warranty, Quality Assurance, ferry support, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, logistics and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $366.2 million.

News Report: Trump Hosts India’s Modi to Discuss Enhancing Security, Economic Cooperation

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make a two-day trip to the United States starting Sunday to discuss military and economic cooperation with officials including US President Donald Trump.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Modi was once denied a US diplomatic visa over accusations he was involved in religious rights violations, but he built good relations with former US President Barack Obama.

The visit comes after Trump invited Modi for an official visit when the two spoke by phone in January.

India's The Hindu newspaper noted this week that Trump has criticized India's import tariffs and accused the country of taking "billions and billions" of US aid dollars to find its commitments under the Paris climate agreement.

The Trump administration also restricted H1B visas, which have affected Indian software companies, compounding a broader stagnation. The country's information technology sector is growing at its slowest pace in a decade.

News Report: Modi Confident in 'Convergence' of US, Indian Interests

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is "confident in the growing convergence" between India and the U.S. as he prepares to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House.

In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, Modi stated his optimism for economic growth and increased bilateral trade between the two countries.

"In an uncertain global economic landscape, our two nations stand as mutually reinforcing engines of growth and innovation," he wrote.

On Sunday, Modi met with top American business executives and members of the Indian diaspora on his first visit to the U.S. since Trump was elected president.

Meeting with tech leaders 

At a hotel meeting in Washington with leaders of some of the top American technology companies, the prime minister extolled the virtues of doing business in India where he said there was "minimum government," making it easy to do business in the South Asian nation.

Among those attending the meeting were Google's Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella of Microsoft and Shantanu Narayen of Adobe Systems, who are all Indian Americans. Amazon chief Jeff Bezos and Apple's Tim Cook also attended the meeting.

News Report: Defense Deals on the Agenda for First Trump-Modi Talks

Steve Herman

WHITE HOUSE — The bearers of two potentially clashing slogans, “Made in India” and “America First,” will finally meet Monday at the White House.

“It’s going to be a robust discussion,” White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said of what will be the first face-to-face talks between India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump.

“We’re really seeking to roll out the red carpet,” a senior U.S. official said of the visit, which will feature the first dinner Trump will host at the White House for a foreign dignitary.

“It’ll be a long interaction and lots of time for the two leaders to get to know each other,” the senior official told White House reporters Friday.

“These are two very populist leaders,” with aspirations for transformation, notes Satu Limaye. He is director of the Washington office of the East-West Center, an American nonprofit group dedicated to promoting public diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region.

News Report: Indian PM Modi to Visit President Trump With Hopes of Expanded Ties

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

(Image: Flickr User - MEAphotogallery)

Anjana Pasricha

NEW DELHI — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to the United States for his first meeting with President Donald Trump amid anxiety in New Delhi about whether India will be able to build on the bilateral gains of the last three years.

Indian officials have expressed optimism Modi’s two-day visit starting Sunday will lay the groundwork for an expansion in ties.

“It is a very robust relationship, it is an expanding relationship,” said foreign ministry spokesman Gopal Baglay.

Discord before visit

But some discordant notes have emerged with Trump, who wants to restrict work visas used by many Indian professionals in the United States and who irked New Delhi by accusing it of making its participation in the Paris climate accord “contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid.”

“There are many mixed signals coming. Some things have made India very happy, some things have made India very uncomfortable,” said Harsh Pant, a fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. “For a long time the argument was that India’s rise is good for America. That argument no longer apparently holds, because this administration, this presidency is very transactional.”