WASHINGTON: India has asked the US to ease its export control restrictions to allow high-end weapons technology tie-ups between the two countries. Expressing concerns on the export control restrictions, the Defence Minister Mr. A. K. Antony Sunday demanded an early solution to the issue. He is in here heading a high-level defence delegation comprising top officials from his ministry and high ranking officers from the three services.
Ahead of his talks with top Pentagon officials, Antony said, India now wants to transform its military-to-military relationship from a buyer-seller to co-production and joint production of armament systems.
US have expressed its readiness to sell India high-end weapons technology, but Congressional export control restrictions are coming in the way of sale of frontline weapon systems. Referring to these restrictions, Antony said, both countries have a stake in strengthening military ties.
In the course of his stay, Mr. Antony would hold wide-ranging talks with Defence Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and National Security Advisor Gen (Retd) James Jones.
Echoing sentiments expressed by Mr. Antony, the US Defence Secretary has said that Washington is keen to strengthen and expand America’s military-to-military ties with India.
On India’s concerns over restrictions on export of high technology items, Gates said that this was high on the agenda and we would like to see these restrictions removed. AIR
