US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in India to discuss strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, the transfer of critical technologies and ways to expand India-US global strategic partnership. Discussions will cover General Electric's proposal to share technology with India for fighter jet engines and New Delhi's plan to procure 30 MQ-9B armed drones at a cost of over $3bn from US defence major General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. India has been looking to manufacture jet engines in the country. The defence and strategic ties between the two countries have been on an upswing in the last few years after landmark defence pacts were signed.
