"The profile of Indian military hardware is becoming US-oriented. This will bring definitive change in Indian military doctrine because it's dependent on [imported] equipment."
The U.S. is also pressuring the Indian government to sign several military-related agreements, including a Logistics Support Agreement which could prove "dangerous because the use of US ports by Indians will be zero while the US can or may use Indian bases frequently because of their presence in the region. So, technically speaking, if the US should have problem[s] with Iran or Pakistan they, under the agreement, may use our bases. Indian soil can become a lunching pad for refuelling or servicing." [6]
Addressing the U.S.-India Business Council in Mumbai on November 6, Obama said: "There is no reason why India cannot be our top trading partner (from 12th position now)....I'm absolutely sure that the relationship between India and the US is going to be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century." [7] That is, one of the decisive political-military alliances of the century.
In the words of Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary for Political Affairs, "The simple truth is that India's rise, and its strength and progress on the global stage, is deeply in the strategic interest of the United States." [8]
Indian troops are currently participating with U.S. airborne forces in this year's annual Yudh Abhyas joint military exercises "involving airborne specialist operations in sub-zero temperatures in Alaska" of a sort that could be put to use along India's Himalayan border with China in the event of an armed conflict like that which occurred in 1962.
"The exercise will test the mettle of the Indian Army men in performing
operations in extreme cold conditions in Alaska where the temperature hovers around minus 20 degree Celsius.
"The exercise is designed to promote cooperation between the two militaries to promote interoperability through the combined military decision-making process, through battle tracking and manoeuvring forces, and exchange of tactics, techniques and procedures." [9] Last year's Yudh Abhyas, held in India, was the largest U.S.-Indian military exercise to date. [10]
From September 29-October 4 personnel from the Indian army, air force and navy trained with the U.S.'s 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit at the latter's base in Okinawa in the East China Sea during the Habu Nag 2010 "bilateral amphibious training exercise between India and the United States, designed to increase interoperability during amphibious operations," the first time "the Indian military had the chance to work alongside Marines in this situation." [11]
"Okinawa is located close to China and has a significant US presence where several military bases are concentrated." [12]
....
Clinton began her six-nation tour of the Asia-Pacific region on October 27 by visiting a military base in Hawaii, meeting with the head of U.S. Pacific Command and assuring the foreign minister of Japan that the U.S. is prepared to honor its military commitments under terms of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty in the event of further clashes between Japan and China over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea. [13]
The next day U.S. and Japanese warships participated in an advanced ballistic missile interception test off the coast of Hawaii and on November 2 the U.S. launched the two-week Orient Shield 11 (XI) military exercise with 400 U.S. National Guard and 200 Japanese troops in the latter's nation.
"Since World War II concluded, the United States has worked to build a better relationship with Japan. In 1960, the U.S. and Japan signed the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, a binding agreement for both countries to support each other from enemy attack." As such, "United States Army Japan facilitates a two-week Orient Shield exercise in Japan each fall...."
In the words of the commander of the Japanese forces involved this year, "Our main goal is to enhance the interoperability between the U.S. and Japan." [14]
Since Hillary Clinton spoke this July of U.S. intentions to intervene in territorial disputes in the South China Sea between China and its neighbors, the Pentagon has conducted three joint military exercises with South Korea, including in the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan/East Sea, and one with Vietnam in the South China Sea.
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