US pressing India to buy US military hardware: FT

The United States has stepped up pressure on India to buy US military hardware worth up to 11 billion dollars, ahead of President Barack Obama’s first state visit to the country, a report said Friday.

AlterNet.org, Oct 2, 2010

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton(L) greets Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony ahead of a meeting in Washington in September 2010. Clinton and Defence Secretary Robert Gates have pressed Antony to opt for US bids to supply over 100 multi-combat fighter aircraft to India, the paper said.

Washington’s hopes of achieving a big commercial “deliverable” from Obama’s visit next month are now pinned on a fighter jet deal, the Financial Times said, basing its report on unnamed sources.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defence Secretary Robert Gates have pressed Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony to opt for US bids to supply over 100 multi-combat fighter aircraft to India, the paper said.

Antony is on a two-day visit to Washington.

The project, worth up to 11 billion dollars, is the world’s largest pending military hardware deal.

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