Russia, US trade rivalry |
Russia and the USA are in the race to woo India as the world`s biggest arms importer. Just before US President Barack Obama touches down in New Delhi on January 24, Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu will be town to further boost military cooperation with India. India is trying to claw out of its embarrassing and strategically-vulnerable position of still importing around 65% of its military requirements. The two erstwhile bitter Cold War rivals have now taken to brandishing their support for Modi`s `Make in India` policy. Both promise an effortless and fruitful transition from the existing buyer-seller relationship to co-development and co-production of top-notch weapon systems. The new 10-year defense framework to be inked during Obama`s visit will incorporate the Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI), which the US promises will help strengthen India`s fledgling defense industrial base. Russia, in turn, wants an early inking of the joint projects for co-development of the stealth fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and multi-role transport aircraft (MTA), both of which are stuck due to Indian worries over technical, cost and delivery issues. But no defence deals will actually be inked during the visits of either Shoigu or Obama
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