India and the US inked a critical defence pact in Washington DC on Thursday. The agreement was signed during the US visit of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Senior defence officials from both the sides concluded the Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA), and Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers, an official statement said on Friday morning.
According to the US Department of Defense, the SOSA was signed by Dr Vic Ramdass, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, on behalf of the US, and Samir Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisitions), on behalf of the India.
As part of the agreement, the United States and India have agreed to provide reciprocal priority support for goods and services that promote national defence.
The pact will enable both countries to acquire the industrial resources they need from one another to resolve unanticipated supply chain disruptions to meet national security needs.
"This Security of Supply Arrangement represents a pivotal moment in the US – India Major Defense Partner relationship and will be a key factor in strengthening the US – India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI)," Dr Ramdass said.
The US will provide India assurances under the US Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS), with program determinations by DoD and rating authorisation by the Department of Commerce (DOC), the official statement said.
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