Indo-US defence ties to be strengthened during Aero-India show

Bangalore, Feb 11 (ANI): Defence ties between India and the United states will deepen in the years ahead, especially during the ongoing Aero India show in Bangalore, said US officials on Wednesday.

"Our two great nations have a strong relationship built on deep political, economic, people-to-people and military partnerships. The US-India relationship has grown dramatically these last yeas and is poised to accelerate in the years ahead," Steven J. White, US Deputy Chief of Mission, told reporters here, on the sidelines of the event.

"I think the adoption of the civil-nuclear agreement is just one example of the direction and the trajectory of these relationships. Our military-to military relationship has also been very particularly dynamic and positive," White added.

India-US defence ties are undergoing a tremendous change as the defence sector opens up further; following the signing of the landmark Indo-US civilian nuclear deal last November.

The deal has given New Delhi access to international civilian nuclear fuel and technology for the first time in three decades, helping to boost business confidence in India.dmiral Jeffery A. Wieringa, US Director, Defence Security Cooperation Agency said they would be eyeing orders with the display of affordable combat aircraft at the show.

"I think we are offering aero plane that are obviously combat-proven, affordable, reliable and effective and will look forward to demonstrating that aeroplane", Wieringa said.

India is looking to spend 30 billion dollars on imports over the next five years to modernise its largely Soviet-era arms by introducing new weapons systems. By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)