Pulwama attack: US expresses grief, calls on Pak to act against terror organisations

United States ambassador to India Kenneth Juster on Tuesday condoled the Pulwama terror attack that claimed lives of 40 CRPF personnel on February 14 and called on Pakistan to act against the terror organisations operating in the country.

Speaking at a press conference here, Kenneth Juster also extended his condolences to the Indian Air Force pilot who died after two aircraft of the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team crashed at the Yelahanka airbase here.

Twenty-eight U.S. companies are participating in Aero India, 19 of which are exhibiting in the USA Partnership Pavilion, organised for the fifth consecutive edition by Kallman Worldwide, Juster announced.

The envoy also hailed the US-India relationship stating that last year Indian armed forces conducted more defence exercises with the US than any other armed forces in the world.

He further elaborated on the visit of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to the US.

Juster, also announced that India, US and Japan will hold the 'Malabar trilateral Naval exercise'.

"US and India will also hold the first-ever tri-service exercise, before this, we had service to service exercise but this will be tri-service as it was agreed in 2+2 ministerial that we held last September. We also hope to conclude other significant agreement including bilateral cooperation agreement," Juster said.

"The United States and India are committed to strengthening defence cooperation, in line with India's status as a Major Defense Partner. Defence acquisitions are an important component in deepening our bilateral ties and contributing to a balanced trade relationship," he added.

US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Alan Shaffer and Director of the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, Lieutenant General Charles Hooper were present at the conference.

Echoing Juster's condolences Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Alan Shaffer extended his sympathies to Pulwama terror attack victims and the pilot who lost his life in the crash that happened in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Shaffer also hailed the US-India defence partnership stating that partnership with India is a partnership with the world's biggest economy and the world's largest democracy.

A press release from US Embassy and Consulates in India read, "In addition to U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of State officials, more than 100 U.S. Department of Defense personnel will support the U.S. delegation at Aero India 2019, including a demonstration team for the C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 535th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and the F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan. US Naval assets on display will include the F/A-18 Super Hornet from VFA-27 Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and a P-8 from VP-47 Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington."

During the inaugural air show on February 20, a fly-by will be performed by B-52 Stratofortress bombers assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam."

The 12th Aero India Exhibition will be held at the Yelahanka Air Force Station here from February 20 to 24.