INDUS-X Summit 2024: Defence Secretary Emphasizes Indo-US Strategic Partnership

New Delhi:  Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane highlighted the pivotal role of India and the United States as key stakeholders in the complex dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region at the second edition of the INDUS-X Summit held in New Delhi on February 21, 2024.

In his address, Defence Secretary Aramane emphasized the shared values and common interests that bind the two nations. “The Indo-Pacific, with its vast expanse of oceans and strategic waterways, stands as the crossroad of global commerce, geopolitics, and security. In navigating the complex dynamics of this region, India and the United States find themselves as key stakeholders,” he stated.

The Defence Secretary shed light on the robust defence partnership between the two countries, rooted in mutual respect and strategic convergence. He underscored the significance of the Initiatives on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), launched jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden in 2022. The iCET aims to establish ‘Innovation Bridges’ across key sectors, including defence, through expos, hackathons, and pitching sessions.

Aramane also highlighted the Defence Innovation Bridge, a notable outcome of iCET, facilitating collaboration between US and Indian startups in the defence sector. He praised the introduction of Joint IMPACT Challenges as a distinctive initiative aimed at advancing defence and aerospace co-development and co-production initiatives collaboratively.

Speaking on bilateral partnerships in aerospace and defence, Aramane stated, “Our bilateral relationship is flourishing, with India increasingly turning to the United States for cutting-edge equipment and technology.” He emphasized that the United States views India as a key partner in its Indo-Pacific strategy, leveraging India’s growing defence capabilities.

Defence Secretary Aramane showcased India’s success stories in defence production, ranging from shipbuilding, including aircraft carriers, to the development of advanced weaponry such as the Tejas multi-role fighter aircraft and combat helicopters. He called upon India-US industry representatives and stakeholders to deepen the strategic bilateral partnership further.

Participating in the Capstone session of the INDUS-X Summit, Aramane, alongside INDOPACOM Commander Admiral John C Aquilino and Amb. Atul Keshap, stressed the need to leverage respective strengths and capabilities to play a pivotal role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific.

The second edition of INDUS-X Summit, jointly organized by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), Ministry of Defence, India, and the US Department of Defense (DoD), highlighted the crucial role of technological innovation in defence within the broader context of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership. The Summit aimed to foster collective progress for defence industries, align technological capabilities for startups and MSMEs, and engage in bilateral dialogues to propel the INDUS-X initiative forward.