India,US can jointly develop missile shield

Stressing the need for better defence cooperation between India and the US,visiting Deputy Defence Secretary Ashton Carter Monday said the two countries could jointly develop a Ballistic Missile Defence BMD shield.

I think BMD has great strategic importance and,therefore,the two governments should discuss that strategically before they discuss that technically, Carter told a function organised by CII,when asked if the US and India could work together to develop a BMD shield to showcase their strategic relations. I am wary of showcases probably because it should have strategic and economic sense. Its fine to have symbolic sense but first and foremost it should have strategic and economic sense.

India is developing a missile defence shield on its own and is in the process of deploying it in Delhi and Mumbai.

Carter also said the US and India want to move beyond the buyer-seller relationship and co-develop defence projects.