US Looking For New ways To Complement India’s ‘Act East’ Policy” : Ashton Carter

30 May, Washington

Ahead of his India visit next week, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter has said America is looking for new ways to complement India’s ‘Act East’ policy and find meaningful areas of cooperation in the Asia Pacific.

He told delegates at the Shangri-LaDialogue plenary session in Singapore that the 2015 US-India Defense Framework that he will sign next week, will open up this relationship on everything from maritime security to aircraft carrier and jet engine technology cooperation.

During his visit next week, Carter said he will tour the Eastern Naval Command at Vizag and meet with his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi to sign the new US-India Defense Framework that will guide military cooperation for the next decade.

He pointed out that with Japan and Australia, the US is strengthening maritime security in Southeast Asia, expanding trilateral exercises and exploring defence technology cooperation. Mr. Carter added that with Japan and India, the United States is sharing lessons learned on disaster responses and building greater maritime security cooperation.