India, US to sign mega deal for jointly building jet engines: report
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New York: Enhancing military cooperation between India and the US is on the cards during PM Modi’s state visit to the US on June 21.
The step towards furthering military cooperation comes after the US authorities acknowledged it is about time to contain China’s growing assertiveness, according to reports.
As part of boosting ties, the US side is actively considering a deal involving General Electric Co. to manufacture jet engines with India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. for the Tejas light-combat aircraft, Bloomberg reported citing sources.
For over several weeks, both Indian and the US sides are actively discussing several deals alongside sharing the excitement of PM Modi’s visit in which President Joe Biden will host a state banquet for P Modi.
Reports said that PM Modi will also address the US Congress.
Summing up the gravity of the visit at a time when geopolitical equations are changing with the assertiveness of China, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan the ‘ deliverables’ in the meeting are ‘ not just bullet points on a page’.
Sullivan told a press conference in Delhi on Tuesday that efforts are made to ‘remove obstacles in defense, trading, in high tech trade, investment in each of countries’.
The perceived threat from China has brought the US closer to India to the point of strengthening military cooperation and trade like never before.
The US- China relations are at a low key since pandemic with decreasing involvement in bilateral ties.
The jet engine agreement involves technology transfer to India requiring approval of the US Congress.
The technology transfer fit in with Modi’s make in India project, which will gain him more applause from his supporters back home.
Alongside, Germany’s Thyssenkrupp AG's marine arm signed an agreement with India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders to manufacture submarines for Indian navy, according to Bloomberg.