MQ-9B Drones Deal Has ‘Significant Potential’ To Boost US-India Defence Ties: State Dept

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the Defence Partnership between India and the US has seen significant growth over the past decade. 

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the Defence Partnership between India and the US has seen significant growth over the past decade. ( Image Source :X/ANI )

The United States State Department has said that the MQ-9B Drones Deal between India and the United States significant potential to further advance strategic technology cooperation between the two nations. This comes after the Biden administration held back delivery of 31 MQ-9A Sea Guardian and Sky Guardian drones to India until New Delhi conducts a “meaningful investigation” into the conspiracy to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, as reported by The Wire.

The proposed purchase comprised 15 Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy, while the Indian Air Force and Army were slated to receive eight Sky Guardian drones each.

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the Defence Partnership between India and the US has seen significant growth over the past decade. "Generally, the US-India Defence Partnership has seen significant growth over the past decade. This (Drone deal) is a proposed sale that was announced during Prime Minister Modi's visit last year. We believe it offers significant potential to further advance strategic technology cooperation with India and military cooperation in the region."

#WATCH | US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says, "Generally, the US-India Defence Partnership has seen significant growth over the past decade. This (Drone deal) is a proposed sale that was announced during Prime Minister Modi's visit last year. We believe it offers… pic.twitter.com/DFjx6a4njH

— ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2024

While addressing reporters, Miller also said, “Congress plays an important role in the US arms transfer process. We routinely consult with members of Congress on the Foreign Affairs Committees before our formal notification, so we can address questions that they might have, but I don't have any comment on when that formal notification might take place," Miller stated. The proposed drone deal is part of efforts to strengthen defence ties between the two countries.

In June of last year, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, both he and President Joe Biden expressed approval for India's intention to acquire Predator drones manufactured by General Atomics.

The Quad grouping of countries—the United States, India, Australia, and Japan—all operate, or have operated, the MQ-9B SeaGuardian. Currently, India is leasing MQ-9Bs as part of an intelligence-gathering operation. India is set to acquire as many as 31 Predator drones from the US soon.

Last year, the US Justice Department accused Nikhil Gupta of plotting to assassinate Sikh leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.