WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Reflective of the reinvigorated defense ties between the United States and India, the pentagon announced Friday that outgoing Defense Secretary Ash Carter will visit India next week during the final international trip of his tenure.
Carter will arrive in India on Dec. 8, he will also make stops in Japan, Bahrain, Israel, Italy and Great Britain before arriving back stateside on Dec. 16.
“He (Carter) will look to build on the strategic handshake between the two nations and to continue the momentum in the relationship over the past decade, including expanded defense cooperation during his time as Secretary,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
Amongst the individuals Carter is scheduled to meet include India’s Defense Minister, Manohar Parrikar. India have pegged maritime security and the sale of Predator drones as their most important topics of discussion with Carter.
The Obama administration hope the trip will serve to incoming President-elect Donald Trump as a blueprint for fostering further growth of the two nations’ defense relationship.
Earlier this year, with the help of the U.S., India were granted admission into the Missile Technology Control Regime, a gathering of 35 countries working to prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology. Subsequently, India were also designated as a “major defense partner” when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the U.S. and met President Barack Obama at the Oval Office this Summer.
Modi spoke to President-elect Trump on Nov. 9 to congratulate and build on U.S.-India relations. Both leaders are believed to be keen to take the strategic partnership to a new heights.
India hopes that Trump will pursue a strategy in South Asia making India truly a priority and an anchor in the region.
