US defence proposals are potential game changers: Rex Tillerson

The US has offered a number of proposals to India in the defence sector that can be "potential game changers" for the bilateral commercial and military cooperation, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Wednesday.

The proposals forward by the US include sale of Guardian UAVs, aircraft carrier technologies, the future vertical-lift programme, and F-18 and F-16 fighter aircraft.

"In keeping with India's status as a 'Major Defence Partner' – a status overwhelmingly endorsed last year by the US Congress – and our mutual interest in expanding maritime cooperation, the Trump administration has offered a menu of defence options for India's consideration, including the Guardian UAV," Tillerson told a Washington audience.

"We value the role India can play in global security and stability, and are prepared to ensure they have even greater capabilities," Tillerson in his address to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a top American think- tank, ahead of his visit to India next week.

He said the military proposals put forward by the US to India can be "potential game changers" for the commercial and defence cooperation.

Tillerson said even as the US and India grow their economic and defence cooperation, they must have an eye to include other nations which share their goals.

"India and the US should be in the business of equipping other countries to defend their sovereignty, build greater connectivity, and have a louder voice in a regional architecture that promotes their interests and develops their economies," he said.

"This is a natural complement to India's 'Act East' policy. We ought to welcome those who want to strengthen the rule of law and further prosperity and security in the region," he said.

Tillerson said that the increasing convergence of US and Indian interests and values offer the Indo-Pacific the best opportunity to defend the rule-based global system.

"But it also comes with a responsibility – for both of our countries to 'do the needful' in support of our united vision of a free, open, and thriving Indo-Pacific," he said.

The US welcomes the growing power and influence of Indian people in this region and throughout the world, he added.

"We are eager to grow our relationship even as India grows as a world leader and power. The strength of the Indo- Pacific has always been the interaction among many peoples, governments, economies, and cultures," he said.

Tillerson said the US is committed to working with any nation in South Asia or the broader region that shares its vision of an Indo-Pacific where sovereignty is upheld and a rule-based system respected.

"The fact that the Indian Navy was the first overseas user of the P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft, which it effectively fields with US Navy counterparts, speaks volumes of our shared maritime interests and need to enhance interoperability," Tillerson said.

"The US military's record for speed, technology, and transparency speaks for itself – as does our commitment to India's sovereignty and security," he said, adding that security issues that concern India, concern the US.

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has said that the world's two greatest democracies should have the two greatest militaries.

"I couldn’t agree more. When we work together to address shared security concerns, we don't just protect ourselves, but others," he said.

"Earlier this year, instructors from the US and Indian Armies came together to build UN peacekeeping capacity among African partners, a program that we hope to continue expanding. This is a great example of the US and India building security capacity and promoting peace in third countries – and serving together as anchors of peace in a tumultuous world," Tillerson said.

 moneycontrol