NEW DELHI: The Pentagon's Missile defence review (MDR) 2019 has reported that discussions were held between the US and India over "potential missile defence cooperation". The MDR 2019 reports state the discussions are part of "natural outgrowth" of India’s status as a Major Defense Partner and "a key element of our Indo-Pacific Strategy".

The report state that the talks between Washington and New Delhi occur even as "number of states in South Asia are developing an advanced and diverse range of ballistic and cruise missile capabilities."

The MDR 2019 describes Pentagon's missile defence programs for the coming year along with the policies, strategies, and capabilities that will guide. The development is fairly crucial as it has come just months after India signed a S400 deal with Russia during President Putin's visit to India in 2018.

The 108-page bulky document also throws light over Washington's coalition in the Indo Pacific region and said "their security and diplomacy in Indo-Pacific region is their  strong bilateral alliances with Japan, South Korea, and Australia, "and emerging security relationships with others such as India."

Earlier, India was granted Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) by the US in 2018 and both sides had also signed COMCASA(Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement). The COMCASA was signed during the maiden 2+2 dialogue between American and Indian Defence and foreign ministers in New Delhi. India is the only South Asian country to get STA1 and 3rd Asian country after Japan and South Korea. The granting of STA-1 status helped India as COMCASA helps New Delhi get real-time classified information especially on maritime development along with it eases defence procurement from the US. 

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