After wondering whether ties with India would be neglected by the Obama administration because they were "tainted" by association with the Bush administration, President Obama has stepped up on this issue.
So well done to the Obama administration on these expanding US-India ties:
Today in New Delhi, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Secretary Carter and the Prime minister 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. They discussed the secretary's trip to Goa, his visit to the Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and Karwar Naval Base - a first for a secretary of defense - as well as a range of security issues.
Secretary Carter shared with the prime minister his views on the unprecedented military-to-military ties between the two countries right now, and his optimism regarding expanded cooperation in the future. He 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. 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 Secretary 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 and India's "Act East". The secretary reinforced his view that India, like the United States, seeks to be a net exporter of security, 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.
"Today" being April 12, 2016.
