‘Can’t sign binding down military pacts with US’

[CONNAN]

The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News

New Delhi, October 20
Just two weeks ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit, New Delhi has visibly firmed up its stance and said that it sees no use in signing any “binding down” military agreements. Top sources in the Ministry of Defence said New Delhi was studying what Washington calls the “foundation” for transferring high-tech communications equipment. India is buying or is in the process of buying several US-made platforms, including medium lift and heavy lift military transport planes, long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft and VVIP business jets. Users of planes -- the Indian Air force and Navy -- have made told the MoD that these agreements serve little purpose and were “binding down” rather than being “enablers”.

Defence Ministry sources today confirmed: “…We do not want to be tied down with one type of technology… India is not keen on the agreements.” Still, technical persons are studying the benefits of these. The two agreements are Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement For Geospatial Cooperation.

The US says these were technology enablers and would make military platforms technically “more potent”. Last Friday, Air Chief Air Marshal PV Naik had, in a reply to a question on the benefits or drawbacks of not signing these agreements, said “…it will not make any substantial difference to our operational capabilities”.

However, the US claims that the communications interoperability and security agreement will enable interoperability between air forces of both countries. Senior functionaries see this as a needless “prop” and India sees no benefit in the IAF being interoperable with the US.

 

[KindlyCruel]

Nice and firm pre condition issued here.

India does well and won't be blamed after the meet.

 

[araz]

Nice and firm pre condition issued here.

India does well and won't be blamed after the meet.

India is firm and it should be. More importantly, it is in a position to demand its rights from its vendors. Nice to see this in a country.
Araz

 

[Markus]

India is firm and it should be. More importantly, it is in a position to demand its rights from its vendors. Nice to see this in a country.
Araz

The important thing!

 

[airuah]

This is the reason why we wont have the same relation that Pakistan has with the US. We prefer to be treated differently and we dont want any interoperablity with the US .

 

[indushek]

This is the reason why we wont have the same relation that Pakistan has with the US. We prefer to be treated differently and we dont want any interoperablity with the US .

No need to bring Pakistan here unnecessarily. Have u seen the amount of trolling already, why do you want to post such things and make the thread more of a **** storm.

Look at Araz's post and urs, talk positively as far as possible. My advise to u is to edit ur post before it is too late.

 

[Kinetic]

However, the US claims that the communications interoperability and security agreement will enable interoperability between air forces of both countries. Senior functionaries see this as a needless “prop” and India sees no benefit in the IAF being interoperable with the US.

Advantage: More India-US military to military cooperation.

Disadvantage: Keeping aside India's go alone policy. May allow US to spy through communication links.

 

[Urbanized Greyhound]

perhaps we can negotiate another exception for India ( similar to the nuke deal )...this time for increased transfer of high-end tech.....instead of giving a straight refusal we should open up our markets and offer other sops like strict protection measures of sensitive tech ...to absorb American equipment into our existing arsenel....and ultimately aim for gradual joint R&D.....