Monday, October 14, 2024 | New Delhi
The #USISPFIndiaSummit2024 featured a significant session dedicated to strengthening the U.S.-India defense partnership for a secure future. Ms. Sharmila Barathan, President of Government Affairs and Policy at GE Aerospace, introduced this vital discussion, which included distinguished leaders from the defense sector.
The session began with Special Remarks from Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary of the Department of Defence Production India,Ministry of Defence GoI. He noted that the strength of U.S.-India defense collaboration is clearly visible with India’s designation as a Strategic Trade Authorization (STA-I) partner and a major defense partner. Such developments reflect the commitment of both nations to fortifying the defense ecosystem. Shri Kumar expressed optimism that the coming decades would see a robust relationship between U.S. and Indian industries, not only in defense but across all sectors.
Following his remarks, Shri Sanjeev Kumar participated in a fireside chat with Mr. Dr. Vivek Lall, Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation; Mr. William Blair Vice President and Regional Chief Executive for Asia & India at Lockheed Martin; Mr. Jeff Shockey, Senior Vice President of Global Government Relations at RTX; and Mr. Salil Gupte, President of Boeing India.
During the session, Mr. William Blair emphasized that while discussions about critical technologies are frequent, it is essential to address the underlying ‘critical needs’ for these technologies, as well as the importance of resilient supply chains, emerging space technologies, and rare earth materials. India possesses significant potential to leverage these areas and elevate them further. It is crucial to examine how the public and private sectors collaborate in this context.
Mr. Salil Gupte advocated for boldness and commitment to long-term operational readiness of defense assets, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a supplier network to support both Indian and U.S. defense bases.
Mr. Jeff Shockey emphasized the critical importance of collaboration, highlighting that current facilities are insufficient to meet the rising production demands.
Mr. Vivek Lall pointed out that the India-U.S. defense partnership includes strong ties with startups, with innovations from India’s vibrant ecosystem fostering significant U.S. collaborations.
Moderated by Ms. Sonia Singh, the session underscored the critical role of collaboration in enhancing the U.S.-India defense ecosystem, opening new avenues for growth and paving the way for a secure, innovative future for both nations.