WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (KUNA) -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Sunday applauded the agreements on defense cooperation signed by US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Today, on his historic visit to India, President Obama and Prime Minister Modi announced new, ground-breaking agreements on defense cooperation between India and the United States that promise to open a new chapter in our defense relationship and mark an important milestone in the US-India strategic partnership," Hagel said in a press release.
"By finalizing the renewal of our 10-year framework for the US-India Defense Relationship, we will continue to build on the growing momentum in our defense cooperation over the last decade.
"This renewed framework will support stronger military-to-military engagement, including deeper maritime cooperation and increased opportunities in technology and trade," the defense secretary pointed out.
"By establishing a new military education partnership, we will help shape the next generation of military leaders in both our nations, fostering relationships that will draw our defense establishments closer together for years to come.
"And by agreeing under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) to focus on four 'pathfinder' projects; form a working group to explore aircraft carrier technology sharing and design; and explore possible cooperation on development of jet engine technology, we will begin to realize the enormous potential of the U.S.-India defense industrial partnership.
"We have further strengthened this partnership with an agreement that will allow us to continue science and technology collaboration for the next 15 years," Hagel went on.
"Taken together, the president's announcements signal a new depth and sophistication in our defense and security cooperation, ensuring that it continues to be one of the strongest pillars of our nations' broad strategic partnership - a partnership that will help forge security and stability in Asia and across the globe," he added. (end) yt.gb