The Hindu : India, U.S. to strengthen security cooperation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 12, 2002

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India, U.S. to strengthen security cooperation

By Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI NOV. 11. India and the United States aim to deepen bilateral security cooperation, particularly in munition transactions, at a three-day meet here tomorrow. The Security Cooperation Group (SCG), a post-sanctions era development, will examine several challenging issues as it seeks to place the fledgling military hardware relationship on a more mature footing.

In view of the four-year arms export sanctions on India, New Delhi will utilise the SCG forum for a better understanding of America on arms sales. "We will be exploring U.S. reliability as a defence business partner,'' said a Ministry of Defence official.

In this respect, a SCG sub-set will engage on the long-pending delivery of spares for Sea King helicopters, the sole combat helicopters for the Navy. Sent for refurbishment to the U.K., the choppers were confiscated and American spares denied after India upset U.S. non-proliferation efforts in the region in 1998.

Another substantial issue to be aired at the meeting will be India's long-term requirement of military hardware. With a newly set-up Defence Ministry think-tank having framed a long-term perspective plan, India will be in a better position to articulate its requirements.

Analysts feel a satisfactory resolution of doubts on "American reliability'' could lead to greater cooperation, including the possibility of examining the Czech L-159 advanced jet trainer which has several crucial American components, including its engine.

On the other hand, India has appreciated the American gesture of helping in its indigenous combat aircraft development programme by allowing the sale of digital flight control computer equipment.

This contrasts with its post-Pokhran attitude of refusing to return the light combat aircraft's flight control systems that were sent for testing and joint development with an American company.

The two sides will also review the 20 lists of request (LoR) on military hardware submitted by India. The U.S. has agreed to supply weapon-locating radars and is at present processing several other requests, such as those for thermal imaging equipment and long-range naval reconnaissance planes.

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