'We think we have the finest military hardware in the world, and if India is upgrading its defense capabilities, they should buy American,' state department spokesperson, PJ Crowley said.
As India goes ahead with its plan to modernise the armed forces, US has pitched for India to buy defence equipments from American companies.
"We think we have the finest military hardware in the world, and if India is upgrading its defence capabilities, they should buy American," state department spokesperson, PJ Crowley told reporters in response to a question on the meeting between secretary of state Hillary Clinton and defence minister AK Antony at the Foggy Bottom headquarters.
"I believe our understanding is that some of those decisions are coming up fairly soon. But this is an Indian process, but we're pleased that US companies are competing," said Crowley, according to whom the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues including Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The current situation in Kashmir did not come up during the talks as US, despite repeated pressure from Pakistan, considers Kashmir a domestic issue for India.
"They agreed that India and US have a mutual interest in a stable Afghanistan, and the Secretary welcomed India's contribution in terms of diplomacy and development in building its own relationship with Afghanistan," he said, adding that they also talked about a mutual interest in expanding defence partnership between the two countries.
Procurement of military hardware by Indian forces and the US having the best technology figured in the Pentagon talks between Antony and defence secretary Robert Gates.
"We in the US and our companies are very happy to be a supplier for India's modernisation activities," a senior defence official said.
Pentagon believes that US provides the best technology, the best solutions for a range of issues.
There are a range of defense trade issues where US companies provide by far the best technology, US officials believe.
US is encouraged that India is looking to broaden its suppliers base beyond what it had previously, officials said.
"I am glad that they are looking at the US solutions and I do believe that US solutions provide some of the best opportunities for a proficient and capable Indian force," the official said.
Meanwhile, national security adviser Shivshankar Menon arrived in Washington to hold discussions related to the visit of the US President Barack Obama to India in November.
During his stay over the next few days, he is scheduled to meet his American counterpart Gen (rtd) James Jones, Clinton, Gates and a number of influential Congressmen.
Menon would also interact with the opinion builders and academicians at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace for a discussion in advance of Obama's visit to India.
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