Hindu Editorial Analysis : 28-June-2023

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States holds significant importance for both countries. The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and deepen strategic defense and technology collaboration. The discussions and announcements during the visit have the potential to elevate defense cooperation between India and the USA to new heights.

Defense & Technology Collaboration between India & USA

Joint Manufacture of GE Aerospace’s F414 Engines

  • General Electric (GE) Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will potentially collaborate to manufacture F414 engines in India.
  • These engines will power India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft MK2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft MK1.

Purchase of Predator-MQ-9B Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

  • India has decided to purchase 31 high-altitude, long-endurance Predator-MQ-9B armed unmanned aerial vehicles from the USA.

Deepened Military Cooperation

  • India has already acquired several military assets from the U.S., including C-130 and C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, CH-47 Chinook and MH-60R multi-role helicopters, P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, and M777 ultra-light howitzers.
  • The U.S. has expressed interest in selling its fighter jets, the F-16 and F/A-18, to the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.
Significance

Geopolitical Significance

  • One of the major shared concerns is China’s expansion in the Indo-Pacific, making defense collaboration crucial for both India and the USA.
  • The U.S. seeks to reduce India’s defense partnership with Russia in the long term.

Technological Importance

  • The joint initiatives in jet engine production, semiconductors, and space technology provide an opportunity for India to develop its defense industry and enhance technological capabilities.
India-USA Relations

Common Values and Comprehensive Partnership

  • Both countries share democratic values, respect for the rule of law, human rights, and religious freedom, which have bound them together.
  • The bilateral engagement covers various areas of human endeavor, driven by shared interests and strong people-to-people contacts.

Defence and Security Cooperation

  • The “New Framework for India-US Defence Cooperation” has renewed the defense relationship for ten years since 2015.
  • The Major Defence Partnership (MDP) recognizes the desire to build a comprehensive and mutually beneficial defense partnership.

Quad Partnership

  • The Quad partnership, including India, Japan, the USA, and Australia, aims to enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Counter-Terrorism and Cyber Security Cooperation

  • India and the U.S. cooperate in counter-terrorism and cyber security through information exchange, operational cooperation, and sharing of technology.

Trade & Economic Relations

  • The trade and commercial linkages between India and the USA have expanded significantly, making the U.S. India’s second-largest trading partner and a major destination for Indian exports.

Indian Diaspora

  • The Indian-American community in the U.S. has grown significantly, playing a crucial role in fostering cultural and economic ties between the two countries.
Challenges

Strategic Autonomy

  • As India strengthens ties with the U.S., it remains cautious about maintaining its strategic autonomy and not aligning too closely with any single power.
  • The U.S.’s focus on creating a new bipolarity in the world may not entirely align with India’s interests.

Conflicting Positions

  • India’s muted criticism of the Russian invasion of Ukraine raised questions about its credibility as a security partner in the West.
  • Differences exist between India and the USA in their approaches to the Indo-Pacific region.
Why In News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s highly anticipated U.S. visit is set to provide a significant impetus to bilateral relations, bolstering both economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, while further enhancing strategic defense and technology partnerships.This crucial visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States is poised to solidify the foundation of mutual trust and cooperation, propelling the two nations towards even greater achievements in strategic defense and cutting-edge technology collaboration.

MCQs about India-USA Defense & Technology Collaboration

  1. Which defense collaboration was announced during the visit?
    A. Joint manufacture of F414 engines
    B. Purchase of high-altitude drones
    C. Acquisition of transport aircraft
    D. Development of advanced fighter jets
    Correct Answer: A. Joint manufacture of F414 engines
    Explanation: The potential collaboration between General Electric Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to manufacture F414 engines in India.
  2. What is the major shared concern between India and the USA?
    A. Climate change
    B. Terrorism
    C. China’s expansion in the Indo-Pacific
    D. Nuclear proliferation
    Correct Answer: C. China’s expansion in the Indo-Pacific
    Explanation: The one of the major shared concerns between India and the USA is China’s expansion in the Indo-Pacific region.
  3. What is the significance of the Quad partnership?
    A. Enhancing trade relations
    B. Strengthening defense cooperation
    C. Addressing climate change
    D. Promoting cultural exchanges
    Correct Answer: B. Strengthening defense cooperation
    Explanation: The Quad partnership, which includes India, Japan, the USA, and Australia, aims to enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, specifically in defense matters.

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