The Indo-Pacific Seas: Changes and Challenges for the Indian and U.S. Navies in the 21st Century

The Indo-Pacific Seas: Changes and Challenges for the Indian and U.S. Navies in the 21st Century

Sen. Roger Wicker

Cosmos Club, Washington, D.C.

November 29, 2012

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

It is great to be here today to speak about what everyone agrees has become a dynamic and productive relationship between the United States and India.

This relationship has changed rapidly in recent years, and I expect it will play a major role in U.S. foreign policy in the years ahead. There is also positive potential for Mississippi.

Many have noted India’s growing importance on the world stage, in particular its influence as an anchor of democracy and stability in Asia. In a speech in New Delhi this year, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta described the potential for India and the United States to forge even closer bonds. He said, “We have built a strong foundation, and we will enhance this partnership over time in the spirit of equality, common interest, and mutual respect.”

Record of Success

If the last few years are any indication, India and the United States are moving in the right direction. The 10-year New Framework Agreement signed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George W. Bush in 2005 put a solid roadmap in place for greater bilateral cooperation.

The vision was for India and the United States to strengthen their defense ties through military exercises, information sharing, technology development, and responses to security and humanitarian issues.

We can be encouraged by the progress that has been made since that milestone. Military sales between the United States and India have grown exponentially – to more than $8 billion – and joint military exercises have increased dramatically in scale and frequency. India now conducts more than 50 military exercises a year with America – more than any other country.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower subcommittee, some of the most robust collaboration occurs between our navies. Among the exercises is the high-profile naval training codenamed “Malabar,” demonstrating both countries’ solid commitment to preparing for future defense operations.

There are also signs of military-to-military engagement in my home state of Mississippi. Columbus Air Force Base has a T-38/Kiran instructor pilot exchange with AFS Hakimpet in Hyderabad, India.

Maritime Challenges

A focus on maritime challenges is important as we look ahead. The 2006 Indo-U.S. Framework for Maritime Security Cooperation signaled a mutual interest in fighting transnational crimes like piracy, smuggling, and trafficking, as well as addressing the maritime proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It also recognized the benefits of working together to ensure navigation safety, disaster relief, and international law. Likewise, the U.S.-India Counterterrorism Cooperation Initiative signed in 2010 demonstrates an even greater maritime commitment to combating terrorism and piracy.

Allies and strategic alliances are our best force multipliers as we confront the emerging threats of the 21st century.

In addition to our common principles of democracy and rule of law, India and the United States share many security concerns.

The scourge of transnational terrorism, the necessity of a stable and secure Afghanistan, the uncertainties of an increasingly belligerent Iran, and a Chinese military eager to expand its influence are some of the diverse and complex challenges we face.

With regard to Afghanistan

I am encouraged by India’s leadership in helping Afghanistan rebuild, including the training of Afghan soldiers and investment in infrastructure like highways and hospitals (India’s assistance is more than $2 billion).

These investments and partnerships are critical to Afghanistan’s future and ultimately the fight against terrorism.

India has been a longtime champion of counterterrorism efforts and stopping al-Qaeda. As U.S. troops withdraw from Afghanistan, continued vigilance is essential to keeping terrorist networks from finding a haven there.

I am hopeful India will continue to be a major player in promoting regional and global security. There is no doubt that India’s international presence is expanding – evidenced by its extensive involvement in U.N. peacekeeping missions, trade agreements, and joint counterterrorism measures.

With regard to the Economy

We all know India is the world’s most populous democracy and has one of the fastest-growing economies. A considerable labor force and strong base for high-tech industry have made it a key partner for trade.

In fact, trade in goods and services with the United States is nearing the $100 billion mark – up from only $18 billion in 2001, more than a five-fold increase in a decade.

Geographically, India sits at the center of the ocean that journalist Robert D. Kaplan says is “once again at the heart of the world, just as it was in antique and medieval times.” In his book Monsoon, Kaplan describes the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean like this:

“On the Indian Ocean’s western shores, we have the emerging and volatile democracies of East Africa, as well as anarchic Somalia; almost four thousand miles away on its eastern shores the evolving, post-fundamentalist face of Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country in the world. No image epitomizes the spirit of our borderless world, with its civilizational competition on one hand and intense, inarticulate yearning for unity on the other, as much as an Indian Ocean map.”

His words echo the call for maritime strength and preparedness.

Looming Sequestration

As America addresses tough budget realities, it is increasingly clear that national security and the long-term vitality of our defense industrial base will depend on the capabilities of our partners, friends, and allies around the world.

The stakes are especially high in the coming weeks as Washington works to fix America’s unprecedented debt crisis. At more than $16 trillion, the federal debt is unsustainable. But current policy, as established by the Budget Control Act last year, dictates for drastic, across-the-board cuts to fall heavily on our military.

Known as sequestration, another half a trillion dollars in defense cuts would cripple the ability of our Armed Forces to fulfill its strategic priorities, including maintaining a strong maritime presence in pivotal areas like the Indian Ocean.

The full impact of the cuts remains unknown, but some very startling projections have emerged.

· Army units would receive less training before they deploy to the Middle East.

· Marine Corps troop levels would be cut by 10 percent, leaving our Marines without sufficient manpower to meet even one major overseas operation.

· The Navy fleet would drop to 230 ships, the lowest number since World War I.

· And the Air Force would lose vital maintenance funds required to keep our fighters, bombers, and remotely-piloted aircraft flying around the world.

The President and Congress have an obligation to ensure that our military remains the best-trained, best-equipped, and most professional fighting force in the world. That means reaching a bipartisan consensus on budget savings to replace harmful cuts to defense.

Future Collaboration

Looking long-term is part of the process, and our future defense strategy should recognize the power of collaborating with proven and steady allies like India.

As Deputy Secretary of State William Burns said in a speech last month, “The essence of the vital partnership that we’re building lies in a simple truth. For the first time, for both of us, our individual success at home and abroad depends significantly on our cooperation.”

Of course, there is plenty of work to do. A cooperative defense trade relationship requires a serious commitment from the United States to the modernization of our Cold War-era export control system. In turn, India must be committed to a fair and open defense acquisition process that upholds transparency and interoperability with friends and partners.

A vibrant defense trade that supports national security and economic vitality is an aim we understand well in Mississippi.

In Forest, Raytheon manufactures an export compliant AESA radar for global F-16 customers. In Moss Point, Northrop Grumman manufactures UAVs under consideration by major foreign partners. And in Pascagoula, Huntington Ingalls and VT Halter are in contention for international sales of next generation blue water and coastal maritime vessels.

It is exciting that the relationship between the United States and India has become a partnership of growing confidence. I hope our economic, diplomatic, and military cooperation will continue to flourish and prove successful in ensuring regional stability and security. I am confident that our interests will continue to converge and align in meaningful and productive ways. Thank you.