National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan discussed boosting military ties with India during a visit to the country this week to prepare for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first official state visit to the US.
The White House said while Sullivan was in India from June 13-14, he reviewed “preparations for the upcoming official state visit of the Prime Minister, and discussed a range of strategic, regional, and bilateral issues including steps to advance the strategic technology and defense partnership between the United States and India.”
Modi has frequently visited the US since becoming prime minister, but a state visit carries more prestige as it involves a formal invitation from the president and a state dinner. President Biden recently hosted South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol for a state visit, highlighting the administration’s emphasis on the Asia Pacific region.
The US is working to forge stronger military ties with India as part of its strategy against China. In 2020, the two nations signed a military pact that allows the US to share satellite data with India, helping New Delhi with surveillance of Chinese troops along the disputed border in the Himalayas, known as the Line of Actual Control.
The Biden administration is looking to sell more weapons to India in hopes of weaning New Delhi off Russian military equipment. Sources told Reuters that ahead of Modi’s visit, India’s Defense Ministry approved the procurement of 31 US-made armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones.
The US had been pushing India to approve the deal, which is worth over $3 billion. The sale is expected to be announced during Modi’s visit, along with the US approval of manufacturing General Electric’s engines in India for the country’s domestically produced fighter jets.
Source: AntiWar,
