US Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee Jame optimistic of defence cooperation with India

WASHINGTON: The US Air Force is optimistic about the future of co-developing and co-producing defence systems with India, US Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James has said after her trip to the country.

"We are excited about our part of the Defence Technology Trade Initiative (DTTI). Between discussion in working groups and the growing presence of US defence industry in India, we are optimistic about the future of co-developing and co-producing defence systems," James said in a statement yesterday.

During her three-day stay in New Delhi, James met with top defence personnel including Secretary of Department of Defence Production, Ashok Kumar Gupta, Indian Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Indian Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa.

"My discussions with Secretary Gupta and Air Chief Marshal Raha were incredibly helpful advancing our relationship. The Indian and US Air Forces have a history of cooperation corner-stoned by the interoperability between our C-130J and C-17 fleets. We look forward to continuing dialogue as India modernises its fighter fleet," she added.

Air Force cooperation was greatly enhanced with the IAF's participation in the Red Flag exercise in Alaska early this year and the Indian-hosted COPE India will provide another opportunity in the next year or so, she said.

James also met with members of the American Chamber of Commerce in India and attended a lunch hosted by US Ambassador to India Richard Verma with leaders vital to US-India relations.

She was accompanied by Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs Heidi Grant. The US Embassy's Naval Attache, Capt Jason Gilbert, also attended the meetings.