Indo-US Defence Co-operation

Defence Minister Raj Nath Singh’s ongoing US tour has proved to be fruitful for the Indo-US defence co-operation.In a significant development the Defence Minister visited William B. Morgan Large Cavitation Channel (LCC) in the Naval Surface Centre(NSWC) in Memphis on 25th August.It must be kept in mind that India is planning to set this technology for the Indian Navy. This visit must be seen as integral to the co-operation and synergy in undersea domain and anti-submarine warfare(ASW) between the two largest democracies of the world. In the statement issued by the Ministry of Defence it has been stated that the LCC is one of the world’s largest and most technically advanced water tunnel facilities for testing submarines, torpedoes, naval surface ships and propellers. The Raksha Mantri was briefed at the facility, and he witnessed an actual tunnel experiment.The statement has also clarified that the discussions also intend to support the on-going proposal for establishment of a similar facility for indigenous design and development in India. This development must be seen in the backdrop of the continuous thrust of China in the Indian Ocean Region(IOR) and the Indo-Pacific to alter the global security calculus to strangulate the Indian rise meant to pose a threat to Indian defence.This unilateral expansionist policy has prompted the Quad and India to increase their alertness to develop strategies to contain Chinese threats in the sea waters.Not only that.During the on-going visit of the Raksha Mantri the two nations agreed on more military interactions.It is in this connection an memorandum of agreement was signed between the two partners for the deployment of liason officers to catalyse the defence co-operation.In order to take the Indo-US defence ties to next level the Security of Supply Agreement(SOSA) must be seen to increase the industrial co-operation.This will surely promote long-term supply chain stability.The two nations had initiated this process in 2023 for initiating the Security of Supply Agreement(SOSA) and Reciprocal Defence Procurement(RDP).It must be borne in mind that India and USA are catalysing the agenda of Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness(IPMDA).It is a Quad initiative.It intends to catalyse the maritime domain awareness of the Quad partners in the Indian Ocean Region(IOR).IPMDA comprises of India,Australia,Japan and USA meant to develop a comprehensive monitoring system for the maritime security in the Indo-Pacific focussed on safety of the critical lines of communication.One thing is clear that the quad nations are developing a counter mechanism to challenge the hegemony of China in the sea waters so that a multipolar world is sustained and the security threats mitigated.Raksha Mantri has indeed developed a new normal for the Indian defence co-operation with the US when the geo-political scenario has underwent a drastic change.India cannot be a fence sitter.Gone are the days of non-alignment when India had to chalk a mid path to secure national intrests.It has cost India in terms of global presence.This visit of Raksha Mantri has reinforced the Indian commitment to Make in India abundantly clear.Development of indigenous defence technology that can cope up with the contemporary advancements is the need of the hour.Raj Natn Singh has indeed initiated process that will go a long way in strengthening Indian defence technology for the broader national goals.In order to safeguard the territorial integrity and sovereignty India will have to keep pace with the latest technological developments in the defence sector.