Article Posted on : - Sep 29, 2013

WASHINGTON (PTI): Taking their defence ties to a new level, India and the US have decided to undertake joint development and production of military hardware, involving transfer of high-end technology from America, a move aimed at matching Russia's co-operation with India in this field.

After the summit meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama at the Oval Office the two sides on Saturday issued a joint declaration on defence co-operation spelling out the principles of cooperation in this area.

In the declaration, the US expressed its support to India's full membership in the four international export control regimes that would further facilitate technology sharing.

According to the joint declaration on defence co-operation, the US and India share common security interests and place each other at the same level as their closest partners.

"This principle will apply with respect to defence technology transfer, trade, research, co-development and co-production for defence articles and services, including the most advanced and sophisticated technology," the declaration said.

"They will work to improve licensing processes, and, where applicable, follow expedited license approval processes to facilitate this cooperation," the declaration said, adding that the US and India are also committed to protecting each other's sensitive technology and information.

Noting that the US continues to fully support India's full membership in the four international export control regimes, which would further facilitate technology sharing, the declaration said the two sides will continue their efforts to strengthen mutual understanding of their respective procurement systems and approval processes, and to address process-related difficulties in defence trade, technology transfer, and collaboration.

"The two sides look forward to the identification of specific opportunities for cooperative and collaborative projects in advanced defence technologies and systems, within the next year," the joint declaration said.

Such opportunities will be pursued by both sides in accordance with their national policies and procedures, in a manner that would reflect the full potential of the relationship, it added.

Applauding bilateral defence cooperation, including trade and military exercises, Obama and Singh in a joint statement expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved to date in defence relations.

Emphasizing on need for more intensive defence cooperation on both sides, the two leaders reaffirmed their desire to further strengthen defence trade cooperation, endorsing a the joint declaration as a means of enhancing their partnership in defence technology transfer, joint research, co-development, and co-production.

Obama encouraged the further participation of US firms in partnering India's efforts to enhance its defence capacities.

He also welcomed India's decision to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercise hosted by US Pacific Command in 2014.