NEW DELHI, Jan. 29 (IslamOnline) - After nearly four decades, the United States will resume arms sales to India with the clearance of export licenses of 20 weapons systems, U.S. Ambassador Robert Blackwill said Monday, reported the official Indian news agency (PTI).
Describing the weapons sales as part of Defense cooperation between the two countries "gaining in altitude", the U.S. envoy also disclosed that starting next week, three high-level teams from United States Army, Navy and elite Marine corps would be visiting India to finalize the schedule of resumption of joint exercises.
Without elaborating on the armament system to be delivered to India, Ambassador Blackwill, emerging after a lengthy meeting with Indian Defense Minister, George Fernandez, said his discussions had centered around bringing on "fast track" weapons sales as well as other specifics agreed upon on boosting defense cooperation including holding of joint exercises, reported PTI.
The United States and India had widespread cooperation in the field of defense, particularly arms purchases, after the 1962 debacle with China. However, arms sales to India were frozen after the 1965 Indo-Pak war and remained in cold storage until sporadic revival in early 1990s in cooperation in the LCA project.
All U.S.-India military cooperation was put on hold following India’s nuclear tests in May 1998. However, the sanctions have been almost totally lifted following the Indo-U.S. rapprochement in the wake of the September 11 attacks against America.
Though both the sides are tight-lipped, PTI quoted highly placed defense officials as saying that India was looking to U.S. expertise in procuring radar detecting weapons and General Electric (GE) engines for the light combat aircraft.
