India-US ink defence deal to overcome supply chain disruptions

Rajnath Singh in US: During the Defenec Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to the United States, India and US have signed a critical defence deal in Washington to enable both countries to acquire industrial resources from each other to resolve supply chain disruptions. 

“Two important documents have been signed in Washington DC as Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh’s visit to the United States begins. Senior defence officials from both the sides concluded the Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA), and Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers,” Defence Ministry of India tweeted.  

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 deal will also allow both countries to reciprocate priority support for services and goods to encourage the national defence. 

According to the official statements, as per the deal the United States will offer India assurances under the US Defence Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS). 

During the signing of the deal, senior defence beurocrasts from both the nations were present including  Vic Ramdass, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, from the United Staes, and Samir Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary and Director General representing India. 

Apart from this crucial deal, Singh is also likely to discuss the measures to improve expansive bilateral strategic-military ties which include improving security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. 

Defence Minister’s visit was followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Russia visit which caused ripples in the White House.