As a strong indicator of the growing ties between India and the US—apparently to counter China—the two countries have decided that their defence ministers would visit each other's countries in every three to four months.
Manohar Parrikar would meet US Secretary of Defence Ashton B. Carter on August 28 in the US. During the meeting, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMoA), which will allow the two countries to use each other's bases for logistics requirements, is likely to be signed.
"The two ministers have decided that they will visit and meet each other in every three to four months to discuss security situations and the progress of their military and defence hardware cooperation," highly placed defence sources told THE WEEK.
Parrikar visited the US in December, where, breaking protocol, Carter showed him around the places and aircraft carriers of the US Navy.
When Carter visited India in April, Parrikar took him to Goa to show him around the temples and churches.
The bonhomie between the two ministers and governments have shown results as the two sides are now working closely on development of technologies. The US has also agreed to share critical hi-tech equipment with Indian armed forces.
America has also emerged as the largest weapon supplier to the country, overtaking India's traditional weapons supplier Russia. In the past 10 years, the US has supplied weapon systems, including the C-130J Super Hercules and C-17 heavylift transport aircraft, M-777 artillery guns, along with the ANTPQ-37 weapon locating radars, to India.
