India, US Military Exersise at a New height

US and India has called for joint exercises like Cope India 2018 to be held more frequently.

Background
Cope India began in 2004 as a fighter training exercise held at Air Station Gwalior. The exercise included flight tests, practice and demonstrations as well as lectures on subjects related to aviation.The exercise was repeated in 2005, 2006, and 2009.The current Cope India exercise is being held after a gap of eight years. Considering the significance of such exercises, now officials from both the countries have called for having such exercises frequently as both countries learn from each other during such exercises.

Highlights 

• The Cope India 2018, a 12-day joint exercise(3rd-14thDecember) between the U.S. and Indian Air Force,is being being held at the Kalaikunda air station in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district, and the adjoining Air Station Arjan Singh (located at Panagarh).
• The collaborative and cooperative exercise over the past eight days involved formation of teams, comprising pilots and aircraft of both the air forces, participating in war games over the air space of Kalaikunda.
• More than 100 personnel of the U.S. Air Force, along with 400 personnel of the Indian Air Force, are participating in the exercise.The U.S. Air Force has sent a dozen F-15 whereas the IAF is participating with a fleet of 10 Sukhoi 30, six Jaguars and four Mirage 2000.
• The exercise has now evolved to incorporate subject matter expert exchanges, air mobility training, air drop training and large-force exercises, in addition to fighter-training exercises.
• The exercise follows the Joint International Air Drill of Pakistan and China, which began at the Shaheen VII airbase in Pakistan earlier this month.

 Significance of the Exercise

• Bilateral relation: It is focused on enhancing US-Indian mutual cooperation and building on existing capabilities, aircrew tactics and force employment.
• Mutual operations: Mutual understanding of operational air power and the best practices learnt from each other during the joint exercise would help the countries “operate together in the times to come”.
• Security of Indo-pacific region: The exercise showcases efforts and commitment of the two nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. 
• Skill development and bonding: Through participation in COPE India, all airmen involved will both increase their skills and build meaningful bonds through bilateral engagements and exchanges.

India-US Other Military Exercise ·        YudhAbhyas: Joint Army Exercise ·        Malabar: Trilateral Naval Exercise (The other being Japan) ·        Vajra Prahar: Joint Special Force Exercise

India-US Bilateral Defence Relations
India-U.S. bilateral relations have developed into a "global strategic partnership", based on shared democratic values and increasing convergence of interests on bilateral, regional and global issues.Defence relationship has emerged as a major pillar of India-U.S. strategic partnership with the signing of ‘New Framework for India-U.S. Defense Relations’ in 2005 and the resulting intensification in:
Defence trade, Joint exercises, Personnel exchanges, collaboration and cooperation in maritime security and counter-piracy, and exchanges between each of the three services.The Defence Framework Agreement was updated and renewed for another 10 years in June 2015.The two countries now conduct more bilateral exercises with each other than they do with any other country.India participated in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in July-August 2016 for the second time with an Indian Naval Frigate.The agreements signed during the past one year include, Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Association (LEMOA) signed in August 2016, Fuel Exchange Agreementsigned in November 2015,Technical Agreement (TA) on information sharing on White (merchant) Shipping signed in May 2016 and the Information Exchange Annexe (IEA) on Aircraft Carrier Technologies signed in June 2016.During the visit of Prime Minister to the U.S. in June 2016, the U.S. recognised India as a "Major Defence Partner".This 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.