During President Obama's visit to India last January, the two countries had announced the establishment of a working group for a proposed aircraft carrier. Discussions have recently started. The Indian delegation led by Vice Admiral SPS Cheema, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Western Naval Command, visited the U.S. Navy's PCU Gerald Ford—currently under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia—and received briefs on U.S. Navy management of aircraft carrier programs.

The next step is for the Indian Navy to host the U.S. Navy within the next six months or so to continue negotiations. India is expected to make an acquisition decision in 2016.

The Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation, co-chaired by U.S. Navy's Program executive officer for Aircraft Carriers, Rear Admiral Tom Moore, and India's Controller for Warship Production and Acquisition, Vice Admiral GS Pabby, is part of the larger India-U.S. Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).

The DTTI aims to reduce procedural obstacles in both the U.S. and Indian governments' defense establishments to facilitate broader cooperation in defense production as a component of the strategic partnership.

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