US Defence Secretary James Mattis's visit to India is loaded with anticipation on both sides. The US and India are testing their new friendship in a new world, where old orders are crumbling. This is the first cabinet level visit to India under the Trump administration and will be followed by the visit of Trump's daughter, Ivanka, to Hyderabad in November for the India US Entrepreneur Summit.
Both visits, while different in scope and focus, form part of the multi-level bilateral engagement that both countries are striving to maximise. Mattis's visit also comes on the heels of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's tour to the US for the UNGC meet and her interaction with US secretary of state Rexx Tillerson.
A visit of this stature, at a time when the ghost of Doklam still casts a spell over the continent, is significant. It acts upon the US's stated commitment of taking forward Indo-US defence cooperation and making it an effective tool for achieving peace and stability in South Asia and Indo Pacific.
Mattis has some selling to do. Will he be able to take forward the Trump administration offer of the Sea Guardians and marine reconnaissance drones? The US has offered 22 at a cost of two billion dollars. If the sale comes through, it will be the first such to a non-NATO partner. While the acquisition will no doubt strengthen India's maritime surveillance, India's requirement is for combat drones, which the US has not even put on offer.
The other hard-sell is the F 16 and F 18 fighter craft, which the US has been trying to get India to buy. India is resisting, it needs more modern technology. But will Mattis be able to get Modi to manufacture these craft in India itself, under Modi's pet Make in India initiative?
Although no announcements on either are expected at this stage, Mattis could take forward the discussions.
Day 1 of his official tour began on Tuesday. He is scheduled to meet with Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman and NSA Ajit Doval. "The secretary will emphasise that the United States views India as a valued and influential partner, with broad mutual interests extending well beyond South Asia. The secretary will also express US appreciation for India's important contributions towards Afghanistan's stability, prosperity and security,'' said a statement from the US Department of Defence.
