US urges deeper military coordination with India in Indo-Pacific

The United States has called on India to strengthen military coordination in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasising the need for effective cooperation when the interests of both countries align.

Speaking at an event in New Delhi, US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby stated that when their common interests align, the United States and India must ensure effective interaction between their armed forces in the Indo-Pacific region, Caliber.Az reports per The Economic Times.

“Our goals should be practical: To ensure that our forces can operate effectively together when our interests align, and, in any case, to ensure that India possesses the capabilities necessary to defend its sovereignty and contribute to a favourable regional balance of power,” he stressed.

The United States is committed to cooperating with India on the development of long-range precision weapons, anti-submarine warfare capabilities, and other advanced military systems. Both countries have the potential for joint development and production of defence technologies, and Washington views New Delhi’s ambition to build its own defence manufacturing ecosystem as both reasonable and necessary. 

“A strong domestic industrial base enhances sovereignty and resilience. The United States supports that objective. India is well on its way,” Colby added.

Colby is in India to participate in a meeting of the US-India Defence Policy Group, where the sides are expected to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation and implementing the US-India Defence Partnership Framework.

By Jeyhun Aghazada