India is no longer a simple buyer of arms, says Ashton Carter

Panaji: US secretary of defence Ashton Carter lauded the 'Make in India' initiative which has now shifted India into a category other than just a simple buyer of arms.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa, having earlier visited temples in Ponda, on Sunday evening, Carter who is on a two-day India visit said the US wants to have a different kind of relationship with India. "It's a relationship where we share technology," he said.

"'Make In India' is one of PM Modi's priorities and Indian defence minister Manohar Parrikar reflects that in our defence activities by stressing on co-production, co-development, and technology-sharing rather than a simple model where India buys military systems from other countries," said Carter.

Asked about the significance of his visit to India, Carter said that India plays a strategic role in the region.

"We have so many actitvities that we're doing together to jointly secure this part of the world. India has its own interests that it pursues, but our interests overlap and that's where the minister (Parrikar) and I work together to make the world safer and a better world for our children," he said.

India and the US are set to bargain hard on three controversial defence foundational agreements and "pre-bid guarantee" on transfer of technology, in case an American firm bids for 'Make in India' fighter jet programme.

The US has been pushing India to sign three agreements - Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA), Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) - the previous UPA government had resisted.

India is now open to a tweaked LSA which facilitates the provision of logistical support, supplies and services between the US military and the armed forces of partner countries on a reimbursable basis, and provides a framework that governs the exchange of logistics support, supplies and services.

Carter will visit Karwar where Parrikar is hosting him on board naval aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya on Monday. When Parrikar had visited the US, Carter had hosted him onboard USS Eisenhover, a rare honour preserved for very few foreign dignitaries. Carter will be in Delhi for an official meeting with Parrikar on Tuesday where the two sides are expected to discuss the finalization of at least three agreements including the LSA and issues pertaining to security in the region.

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