Building on President Obama’s successful visit to India last month, top U.S. officials will promote U.S.-India defense cooperation, advocate for U.S. companies bidding on foreign commercial and defense contracts, and provide an update on Export Control Reform at the Aero India 2015 air show and aviation exhibition in Bangalore February 18-20, 2015.

The U.S. delegation will be headed by U.S. Ambassador Richard Verma and include several senior U.S. officials, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Ken Handelman, Assistant Secretary of Commerce Marcus Jadotte and Vice Admiral Joseph W. Rixey, Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). Senior military leadership from the U.S. Pacific Command will also attend.

In recent years, the United States and India have significantly broadened our defense cooperation, as demonstrated by our increased bilateral dialogues, military exercises, and military personnel exchanges, as well as the U.S.-India Defense Trade and Technology Initiative. Since 2008, our bilateral defense trade has grown from near-zero to nearly $10 billion. Every day, our diplomats work to promote U.S. companies wherever they operate – driving exports, creating jobs here at home, and accelerating U.S. economic growth.

For further information, please contact the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs at PM-CPA@state.gov. Follow the Department at Aero India on Twitter at @StateDeptPM.