India, US to work together in avaiation security

In a first such aviation security initiative, India and the US have agreed to establish an equipment testing and evaluation programme as part of their strategic partnership.
The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) entered into a cooperation agreement with Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to establish an aviation security equipment testing and evaluation programme.
In a release, the USTDA said the proposed programme, the first security initiative under the US-India Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP), would "help AAI and BCAS develop clear standards, specifications and testing procedures that align with international systems that scan carry-on luggage, checked baggage and airline passengers."

USTDA Regional Director Henry Steingass "we are proud to continue our track record of connecting US experts to projects that will help India implement its vision of a modern aviation infrastructure with a new effort in aviation security."
He also said that adequate security procedures and equipment would help ensure the "successful growth" of Indian airports, especially those catering to passengers travelling to destinations in the US and Europe that require stringent security measures for incoming global flights.
The agreement was part of the US-India Strategic Dialogue concluded here yesterday during the visit of Secretary of State John Kerry.

Three American companies, all members of the ACP, would work with AAI and BCAS to enhance India's aviation officials' capacity to effectively test, certify and procure advanced scanning technologies, the release said.

The programme would also involve participation by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which would host collaborative visits of Indian aviation security officials at TSA's testing labs in the United States.
India is expected to become one of the top three worldwide aviation markets by 2020 with a projected traffic flow of over 450 million passengers a year.