Pentagon hosts Indian Defence Minister
US: US and Indian defense chiefs met Tuesday amid efforts by
Washington to step up arms sales to New Delhi and ease restrictions on
hi-tech weaponry.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates hosted India Defense minister AK
Antony for talks as both countries touted a growing strategic alliance
and expanding military ties, including a pending multi-billion-dollar
deal for American C-17 cargo planes.
US and Indian officials have been negotiating an agreement that would
see New Delhi buy at least 10 C-17 planes, manufactured by Boeing.
The deal, which is in its final stages and worth an estimated two to
five billion dollars, could be signed in November when US President
Barack Obama visits India, officials say.
Before Tuesday's meeting, Gates had said he wanted to see India given
more access to US military technology as part of a wider effort by the
administration to loosen export controls for friendly countries.
"India certainly is high on our list in terms of a country that... I
would like to see those restrictions eased," he told a press conference
last week.
Indian officials have asked Washington to lift restrictions which
they say have hampered potential arms sales.
Gates also said last week that he expected to talk about India's
competition for a new fighter jet.
Two US combat aircraft, the F-16 and the F-18, are competing against
four other planes, the Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale
and Mikoyan MiG-35.
In their meeting, Gates and Antony discussed "the progressively
increasing trade in military-technical equipment, service to service
exchanges, joint military exercises and collaboration in defense
technologies" between the two countries, the Indian embassy in
Washington said in a statement.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, AFP
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