Bengaluru: US Charge d'Affaires A Elizabeth Jones said the growing diplomatic and security cooperation over the last year show that the US-India strategic partnership is one of our most consequential relationships.

Speaking at a press conference here on the eve of Aero India 2023, she said: "India and the United States are working together in so many ways to ensure a free and open, prosperous, connected, and resilient Indo-Pacific region, where our democracies can thrive. As partners, we’re working together to address climate change; improve global health and prepare for new pandemics; cooperate on cyber challenges; build quality infrastructure; and ensure sustainable supply chains. We’re strengthening our cooperation on critical technologies, from space components to semiconductors."

Jedidiah P Royal, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, who leads the US delegation of senior US government officials from the Department of Defense, said, “These close partnerships have generated tens of thousands of jobs in India and enabled critical transfers of technology and manufacturing expertise to India. U.S. companies have established engineering centers and manufacturing hubs and have also invested in building R&D centers that harness India’s incredibly talented scientists and engineers to advance cutting- edge R&D projects."

Major General Julian C Cheater, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, said, "As democracies bookending the Indo-Pacific, the United States and India share a common vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. That shared vision is strengthened by world-class events like Aero India where we are able to engage in-person to increase trust and understanding."

Rear Admiral Michael Baker, Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi said, “As we mark the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy, we are excited to be in Bengaluru for Aero India. The U.S.-India Defense relationship is an important element of that strategy - and our Defense Partnership is stronger than ever. This week you will have the chance to see American Air power operating alongside the Indian Air Force: we plan to have a variety of aircraft here, one of our largest delegations ever, and the U.S. Air Force Pacific Band who will perform at venues around Bengaluru.”

Among the major highlights throughout Aero India 2023, an F-16 Fighting Falcon duo, one of the United States Air Force’s (USAF) leading fighter jets, will conduct daily aerial demonstrations. The F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet, the U.S. Navy's most advanced frontline carrier-based, multi-role strike fighter available today, will be on static display.

On Feb 13, Ambassador Jones will open the USA Partnership Pavilion at Aero India 2023.

(With UNI inputs)