♤ Aggregate worth of defence acquisition from U.S. has crossed over US$ 13 billion (MEA 2016).

♤ Defence Technology Trade Initiative (DTTI): India and the United States launched a Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) in 2012, aimed at simplifying technology transfer policies and exploring possibilities of co-development and co-production to invest the defence relationship with strategic value.

♤ The DTTI Working Group and its Task Force will expeditiously evaluate and decide on unique projects and technologies which would have a transformative impact on bilateral defence relations and enhance India's defence industry and military capabilities.

♤ During President Obama's visit in January 2015, the two sides agreed to start cooperation on 4 DTTI pathfinder projects and 2 pathfinder initiatives, which are currently at various stages of execution.

♤ During RM's visit in December 2015, the two sides also identified opportunities for bilateral cooperation in production and design of jet engine components. During Secretary Ashton Carter's visit in April 2014, two more G-2-G DTTI projects were added to the list.

♤ The DTTI meeting in Delhi in July 2016 decided to broaden its agenda by setting up five new Joint Working Groups on: Naval Systems; Air Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance; Chemical and Biological Protection; and Other Systems.

♤ During the visit of Prime Minister to the U.S. in June 2016, the U.S. recognised India as a "Major Defence Partner", which commits the U.S. to facilitate technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners, and industry collaboration for defence co-production and co-development.

♤ In December 2016, US Congress passed an amendment, Section 1292 titled “Enhancing Defense and Security Cooperation with India”, to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017 (NDAA) — an annual bill that allocates funding to the US military.

♤ Section 1258 of the NDAA 2018 moves the ball forward by institutionalising the relationship. The bill, titled “Advancements in defence cooperation between the United States and India”, directs the departments of state, defence and commerce to “jointly produce a common definition that recognises India’s status as a ‘Major Defence Partner’ for joint use” by the three departments.