NEW DELHI -- India and the United Stateshave inked a key 10-year defense framework agreement for jointly producing military equipment and technology, and they have also sealed two other projects, including one to develop protective gear for chemical and biological warfare.
The pact was inked in the capital Wednesday night by Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, who also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
"Raksha Mantri (Indian Defense Minister) and Secretary Carter signed the 2015 Framework for the India-U.S. Defense Relationship, which builds upon the previous framework and successes to guide the bilateral defense and strategic partnership for the next 10 years," the Defense Ministry said.
It added: "The new Framework agreement provides avenues for high-level strategic discussions, continued exchanges between armed forces of both countries, and strengthening of defense capabilities."
Both the countries have also agreed to jointly develop Mobile Electric Hybrid Power Sources and the Next Generation Protective Ensembles, the Ministry said.
