Time Is Now to Advance U.S.-Ind!a Defense Cooperation.

• Author: Thakur, Arvind
• Position: Viewpoint

* Many recent articles have commented on the potential benefits of a new, closer U.S. defense relationship with India. The details of what will constitute the new relationship is still an unanswered question.

China is expanding more and more into the Asian region, the South and East China Seas and the Indian Ocean. The People's Republic of China is a long-term rival with India because of border disputes, trade disputes and China's support of Pakistan. China has also created controversy through its claims over the Spratly and Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. The international community recognizes the claims of the Philippines and Vietnam over the islands, which may contain oil and petroleum reserves. China is quickly becoming a regional hegemon, challenging U.S. and Indian interests in the Indo-Pacific Region.

Common concerns of China's increasingly aggressive claims and actions in the Indo-Pacific Region have reignited interest in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the Quad, comprising India, the United States, Australia and Japan.

Recent articles reflect a crescendo of voices advocating the need to expand defense ties between the United States and India. Certainly the two countries are at a new crossroads in what is clearly a mutually beneficial relationship arising from shared threats. Before proposing a new defense relationship, a review of the current one serves as a good starting point.

In August 2016, the United States and India signed a historic agreement. According to the Washington Post, "the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement allows for exchange of logistics support, supplies and services between the two countries' armed forces. This includes food, water, fuel, spare parts, repair, transportation, communication and medical services." The agreement does not allow for basing of U.S. troops on Indian soil.

Over the past four years, India has purchased $4.4 billion in military equipment from the United States. India currently operates the P-8 Poseidon antisubmarine warfare aircraft and has purchased Apache helicopters scheduled for delivery in 2019.

Other U.S. major systems purchased by India are the C-17 transport aircraft, C-130 Hercules aircraft, SH-3 anti-submarine warfare helicopters and the M2 .50 caliber machine gun. India's minister of defense finalized an order with Boeing in 2015 for the production, training and support of 15 CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Deliveries will begin in 2019. Two ultralight M777A2 howitzers were...