Defence relationship has emerged a major pillar of India-US strategic partnership and a key driver of the overall bilateral relationship since 2005, said Baba Kalyani, President, SIDM and Chairman, CII National Committee on Defence.
Speaking on the occasion, Alan R Shaffer, US Deputy Under Secretary of Defence Acquisition stated that this will be the largest US delegation to ever attend Aero India. Nearly 100 military and civilian members, and 28 US companies are participating, highlighting the continued growth of the Defence relationship with India.
“I am here because the US is committed to strengthening our Defence and security partnership with India. US bilateral Defence trade with India, essentially zero in 2008, will reach an estimated $18 billion later this year. India is the largest democracy, and the US is the largest economy.”