Indo-US Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

During his three-day visit which initiated on January 25, U.S. President Barack
Obama had a really tight schedule in India. Obama became the first U.S. President
to be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade in India. During his visit to attend
the Republic Day celebrations, Obama was accompanied by his wife Michelle
Obama and a team of senior officials.
After arriving in India, U.S. President Barack Obama concluded a series of
bilateral agreements with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Obama
approached the topic of terrorism with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two
leaders followed up on subjects addressed during Modis September 2014 trip to
the United States and discussed some issues that had been on the U.S.-India
bilateral back-burner for several years.
As per media reports, the discussion between the two leaders included few clauses
addressing terrorism, law enforcement, and counter-terrorism. Naturally, both
countries are expected to increase their co-operation on these issues. The two
leaders pledged to come together to demolish entities such as Lashkar-e-Tayyiba,
Jaish-e-Mohammad, D-Company and the Haqqani Network.

The U.S.-India Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) once again made
an appearance. Back in September 2014, the two leaders noted that their countries
would treat each other as partners on issues including defence technology transfers,
research, co-production and co-development. The DTTI is determined to
increase co-production, co-development and partnership between U.S.-India
military matters. The initiative is in line with Modi governments plans to increase
Indias defence self-sufficiency and increase the share of Indias military hardware
that is manufactured on Indian soil. Narendra Modis new Make in India initiative
gets demonstrated in the context of defence co-production.
The India-US Counter Terrorism Co-operation Initiative has been seeking for
further enhancement between two countries, as Counter Terrorism plays an
important element of their bilateral strategic partnership. Following points that
would strengthen the capabilities of India- U.S. defence co-operation:

Modernization of techniques.
Development of investigation skills.
Promotion of co-operation between forensic science laboratories.
Establishment of procedures to provide mutual investigative assistance.
Enhancing capabilities to act against money laundering, counterfeit currency
and financing of terrorism.
Exchanging best practices on mass transit and rail security.
Increasing exchanges between Coast Guards and Navy on maritime security.

In recent years, India has conducted large joint military exercises with the US in
the Indian Ocean."US-India military relations derive from a common belief in
freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, and seek to advance shared security
interests". It includes: Maintaining security and stability.
Defeating violent religious extremism and terrorism.
Preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction and associated
materials.
Protecting the free flow of commerce.
As per media reports, The United States has overtaken Russia as the biggest
weapons supplier to India. India is the world's biggest weapons importer. The most
significant achievement was the progress made in military and defence cooperation. The renewal of the 10-year Framework for the U.S.-India Defence
Relationship, the announcement of joint projects, including the co-production of
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and specialized equipment for military transport
aircraft, the establishment of contact groups to explore co-development of jet
engine technology and aircraft carrier systems, and the decision to upgrade

bilateral, annual naval exercises represent substantive steps that will deepen the
defence partnership between India and U.S.