(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
Indian defence attaché now has unescorted access to the
Pentagon, a top US Defense Department official has said.
Such a move is aligned with the trust and cooperation that we
share with India, US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said on at a
reception hosted by India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh
Sandhu at India House on Independence Day on Monday.
“As of today, the Indian (defense) attaché team now has
unescorted access in the Pentagon which is commencement with our
close relationship with India's status as a major defense partner,”
Kendall said.
“And if you don't think unescorted access to the Pentagon is a
big deal, I can't get into the Pentagon without an escort,” he
said.
The Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defense,
is considered one of the most difficult places to get access. Even
American citizens have no access to the building without high-level
security clearances.
Kendall, who worked on India issues during the Obama
administration, said it was a desire then to strengthen the bonds
in the national security area.
“It turns out that India is the country with whom we do more
joint exercises than any other country, have a long close
relationship and we've been able to build it up and strengthen it
over the years as we work together for integrated deterrence in the
region and around the world,” he said.
The Defense Trade and Technology Initiative, he said, has grown
over the years and is continuing to this day.
“We recently just a year ago started a new cooperative programme
for unmanned aerial vehicles. We've been able to share technology
and work together in any number of programs. So it's been a
remarkable journey that I know will continue,” he said.
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