The US Department of Defense (DoD) stated that India will receive assurances under the U.S. Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS), with program determinations by the DoD and rating authorization by the Department of Commerce (DOC). In return, India will establish a government-industry Code of Conduct, with Indian firms agreeing to provide the US with priority support.The DoD highlighted that SOSAs are crucial for strengthening interoperability with US defense trade partners and for developing strategies to ensure redundancy and security within global supply chains. “The Arrangements institute working groups, establish communication mechanisms, streamline processes, and proactively act to allay anticipated supply chain issues in peacetime, emergency, and armed conflict,” the DoD stated.India now joins a list of 18 SOSA partners, which includes Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.Additionally, the Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers was signed by Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary International Cooperation at the Ministry of Defence, and Dr. Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of State for Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs. This agreement is expected to enhance joint service cooperation and facilitate information sharing between the two nations’ military organizations.
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