NEW DELHI: Defence and security cooperation represents the most strategically significant area of collaboration in India-US ties, said US ambassador to India Sergio Gor underlining the importance of the deepening defence ties with a new 10-year framework and enhanced defence industrial cooperation, science and technology collaboration, and operational coordination.In an interview with the US embassy publication, Span magazine, the ambassador also spoke about the significance of Quad as he predicted further strengthening of defence ties.“India is a Major Defence Partner, and defence cooperation is one of the brightest spots in our bilateral relationship. We also strengthen US-India military interoperability through participation in military exercises such as Malabar, Tiger Triumph, and Cope India,” said Gor.“Both of our nations are also part of the Quad, a strategic partnership that keeps our security interests robust and aligned. These three core aspects—diplomacy, defence exercises, and military sales—ensure strong, continued defence cooperation. If these aspects are maintained, I predict a natural strengthening of our defence ties,” he said.According to Gor, economic investment and trade expansion also offer equally transformative potential in the relationship. He said President Donald Trump’s goal is to facilitate bilateral trade in a way that creates unprecedented opportunities for American businesses and workers.“India’s growing economy and massive infrastructure needs align perfectly with American expertise in energy, aviation, advanced manufacturing, and digital infrastructure. These investments benefit both of our nations, while strengthening the economic foundation of our long-term strategic partnership. Simply put, we have a win-win situation in front of us,” said the ambassador.On cooperation in AI, Gor said this is a nuanced and evolving issue that requires open communication between the two countries. “The fact of the matter is that AI is here now, in our daily lives. So, how do we use it for our benefit? The answer is certainly not to have some global governance board based out of the UN determine what you can and can’t use AI for,” he said, adding that his vision is to transform the US-India relationship into the defining strategic partnership of the 21st century, one that delivers tangible benefits for both our nations.Gor also said that Pax Silica, which India is a signatory to, is focused on further aligning US-India economic and national security interests through partnerships on critical mineral processing capacity and AI infrastructure investments. “This combination of political and financial commitments ensures our supply chains are not dominated by one source, which drastically reduces risk,” he said.
