US Will Continue to Develop & Strengthen Ties with Indian Military: Pentagon

GG News Bureau

Washington, 25th Feb. The US is looking forward to developing and strengthening its relationship with the Indian military, , the Pentagon has said.

“The US and India enjoy a good partnership. We look forward to continuing to develop and foster our relationship with the Indian military,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig Gen Pat Ryder told reporters at a news conference in Washington on Friday.

Defense trade between India and the United States was almost non-existent in 1997, but it now exceeds USD 20 billion.

During a press conference last month, Brig Gen Ryder stated that India is a “great example” of a country that chooses US security assistance, emphasizing that it is ready for any response to wean them away from Russia.

India has come under fire from US lawmakers, both Republicans and Democrats, for abstaining from a UN vote to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

US officials have expressed concern over India’s purchase of the S-400 missile systems by Russia.

In October 2018, India signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems to ramp up its air defence, despite a warning from the then-Trump administration that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions.