US defence secretary would be in the Capital month from now, at a time when several uncertainties have cropped into the burgeoning Indo-US defence relations.
NEW DELHI: US defence secretary Robert Gates would be in the Capital a month from now, at a time when several uncertainties have cropped into the burgeoning Indo-US defence relations, including concerns at senior levels of its negative fallouts in country’s relations with Russia, China and even Europe.
Despite such concerns, India is set on a spree of costly defence purchases from the US. Last week the government approved an over Rs4,000 crore purchase of six Super Hercules aircraft, and Navy has just selected Boeing for an over Rs8,000 crore long-range maritime aircraft. Air Force sources say they are looking at buying American Harpoon missiles for the Jaguar fighters.
Indian sources believe that the US would revive its demand for New Delhi to join the Container Security Initiative and Proliferation Security Initiative - the two security initiatives undertaken by the US after the 9/11 outside the UN.
During his visit on February 25 and 26, US defence secretary is also expected to push for a programme to share intelligence between the two navies.
The uncertainties surrounding the global power equations, including the resurgence of Russia and China, are causing serious rethink among many in New Delhi if the recent cozying up to the US would have serious adverse fallouts for India.
The left parties have been advising go slow to the government, while the European diplomats here have been privately conveying their governments’ disappointments with the American influence in Delhi.
The two sides would also look at reviving the technology cooperation in defence and identify areas of high-end research.
On the Indian side, there are concerns about American reluctance to part with hi-tech and dual technology items. Recently, Raytheon is believed to have refused to collaborate with an Indian firm to produce the latest Javelin anti-tank missiles. Indian Army has a demand of almost 5,000 anti-tank missiles.
Sources also expect the Americans to offer India an elevated status in their anti-ballistic missile programme. In the past Indian side has been given classified briefings, but not an invitation to be a partner in the top-tier.
There is eagerness in the Pentagon to cozy up further with India, as China’s rise and Russian belligerence cause as much worry as the challenges posed by non-state actors. This was evident when Gates dropped in on a meeting of the Defence Policy Group, the highest Indo-US consultative forum, in Washington a couple of weeks ago.
j_josy@dnaindia.net
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