Rear Admiral (RADM) Micheal L. Baker, the U.S. Defence Attaché in India said India has the ability to choose its partners…reports Asian Lite News
U.S. Defence Attaché says the Washington wants to be the partner of choice for New Delhi as it diversifies its base for military arsenal from heavy dependence on Russia and looks at co-developing and co-producing next generation equipment.
Rear Admiral (RADM) Micheal L. Baker, the U.S. Defence Attaché in India said India has the ability to choose its partners.
“It has made a conscious decision to diversify over the last decade. It has made a conscious decision to continue to diversify going forward. And it has made a conscious decision to partner with the U.S. on a host of areas. My focus is on how to take that forward,” said the Rear Admiral, in a conversation with a small group of journalists.
There are some pretty challenges across sharing high-end technology and next-generation equipment and we are the best partner in that, he stated, The Hindu reported.
Meanwhile, responding to a question on the recent Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) test by INS Arihant, India’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, the Rear Admiral said, “A country is able to go through and test its lawful and sovereign capabilities in a responsible way. From what I can tell, India has done that in a responsible way.”
On the continuing standoff in Eastern Ladakh and the situation along the LAC, he said it is certainly an important area for them and they remain watchful. “We work closely with India to exchange our views on this area to make sure that we have a clear understanding of what we think may be happening. I think it is a space both for India and the U.S. to remain watchful. We can’t take the eye off the ball of regional security issues.”
There has been talk of India and the U.S. doing joint patrols in the past which was turned down by Defence Ministry at that point. India has since carried out joint patrols with France. Asked if the time has come for joint patrols between India and the U.S., RADM Baker said to one degree they are conducting joint patrols referring to the broad naval cooperation, it was reported.
