Rajnath Singh urges US defence companies to invest, support Make in India

New Delhi, April 12 (KNN) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged American companies to come and invest in India and support the 'Make in India' programme.

While concluding India-US 2+2 ministerial talk, the first of the Biden administration, the Minister said, "We are talking to US companies for co-development and co-production. We are proposing it to them. We have asked the US companies to work in the UP and Tamil Nadu corridor and invest in that area,".

The US recognised India as a "Major Defence Partner" in 2016, a designation that allows India to buy more advanced and sensitive technologies from America at par with that of the US' closest allies and partners, and ensures enduring cooperation into the future.

A joint news conference of Defence Minister with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar along with their American counterparts Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Tony Blinken was held.

The Defence Minister said, "I have talked to American companies for Make in India and aerospace and world programmes. I have invited them for these programmes."

Earlier, in his opening remarks at the 2+2 ministerial level talks, Singh said that India places the highest priority upon the strategic partnership with the USA. Major defence partnership is one of the most important pillars of India-US strategic relations.

As the largest country and the centre to the Indian Ocean, and as a democracy, India has critical roles to play in the Indian Ocean region and in the wider Indo-Pacific following the Act East and the Neighbourhood First policy.

We look forward to further enhancing the depth and the scope of our defense cooperation to give effect to our shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, and rules-bound Indo-Pacific and the Indian Ocean region, he added. 

India-U.S. bilateral relations have developed into a "global strategic partnership", based on shared democratic values and increasing convergence of interests on bilateral, regional and global issues. The emphasis placed by the Government in India on development and good governance has created opportunity to reinvigorate bilateral ties and enhance cooperation. (KNN Bureau)