India keen on more American tie ups in defence space, says Rajnath Singh

RM interacts with US defence industry leaders; Says, India wants to work closely with US in defence for capability building & industrial partnership to address emerging challenges

India is keen to invite more US investment and technology collaborations in the defence space, Minister Rajnath Singh told American industry leaders at a roundtable in Washington DC on August 23.

The interaction organised by the US India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) was attended by a large number of US defence and technology companies, where Rajnath Singh pitched India's investment climate and welcomed greater collaboration with American manufacturers. A skilled labour base, robust pro-FDI and pro-business ecosystem, and a large domestic market were among the primary factors emphasised by the Defence Minister at the roundtable.

Rajnath Singh added that India is looking forward to working with US companies for capability building in the defence space with a focus on technology and industrial partnerships.

Earlier, Rajnath Singh discussed ongoing defence projects between India and US with Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor to American government, said a press statement, adding that 'geopolitical situation and certain key regional security issues' too were discussed.

On social media platform X, Minister Rajnath Singh said there was 'fruitful interaction' with leading U.S. defence companies at the roundtable, and he has invited them to work with Indian partners to 'accelerate' the Make in India program in achieving self reliance in defence production. "Indian and US companies will co-develop and co-produce for the world", he added.

Both countries have signed two key pacts - one called the Security of Supply Arrangements (SOSA), and the other one being an agreement for positioning Indian officers at key US commands, which Minister Rajnath Singh has called as 'pathbreaking developments'.

Minister Singh also highlighted India's defence indigenisation efforts at a separate event in US addressing the Indian diaspora, where he outlined the efforts toward self-reliance in defence, and the introduction of a Positive Indigenisation List for over 5,000 items which will not be imported, adding that a significant increase in defence exports is underway, which has reached over Rs 21,000 crore.

The value of India's defence production in FY14 was roughly Rs 70,000 crore, which by FY23 had risen to Rs 1.26 lakh crore, according to news reports. Over a period of five years, this growth has been sharply higher by 60 percent, with a significant rise in the contribution of the private sector, at 20.8% of the total production in FY24.

Rajnath Singh also highlighted how India and the US are natural allies, "destined to be strong partners," with expectations of India becoming the third-largest economy by 2027.

The robust growth in India's startup ecosystem, he added, was due to government policies promoting innovation.