India and US sign defence deals worth 3 billion dollars

India and
the United States yesterday finalized defence deals worth three billion dollars
and signed three agreements, including in health and oil sectors.

A Memorandum
of Understanding was signed on mental health between the health departments of
both the two countries.

Another MoU
on the safety of medical products was signed between the Central Drugs Standard
Control Organization with the US Food and Drug Administration.

A Letter of
Cooperation was signed between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Exxon Mobil
India LNG Limited and Chart Industries Inc, US.

In a joint
press meet after holding extensive talks with visiting US President Donald
Trump in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the defence cooperation
between two countries is reflective of the rising strategic partnership between
India and US. 

The Prime
Minister said, they have decided to enhance efforts to hold supporters of
terrorism accountable and agreed on new mechanism to contain drug trafficking.

Prime
Minister added that both countries are committed to openness, fair and balanced
trade and have decided to enhance strategic energy partnership.

In his
statement, President Trump said, India and the US have expanded their defence
cooperation with agreements for New Delhi to purchase more than three billion
dollars of advanced American military equipment. Mr. Trump also affirmed the
two countries’ commitment to protect their citizens from radical Islamic
terrorism.

The US
President said, another major focus of discussions today was forging bilateral
economic relationships that is fair and reciprocal.

Briefing
media in New Delhi yesterday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said,
the Indo-US comprehensive strategic global partnership has been reinforced by
President Trump’s visit. He informed that talks between the two leaders were
held in five major categories of security, defence, energy, technology and
people to people contact.