India may buy drones from elsewhere if US does not act:Senator

Washington, Jan 17: An influential American Senator has warned the Obama Administration that India may go ahead and buy unmanned aerial aircraft from other countries if the US does not act on its request in this regard.

"This is going to be a space (sale of drones)...where other countries are moving very quickly too. If the Indians can't find a partner with the United States, they'll find one somewhere else," Senator Mark Warner, Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus said in his address to the Atlantic Council, a US think-tank.

Warner would join US President Barack Obama on his trip to India to attend the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 26.

Obama will be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade. The Senator said he has no idea on the current status of the Indian request on drones. Responding to a question, Warner hoped that the Pentagon would include unmanned aerial vehicles or drones in its initiative of co-development and co-production with India.

Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall would be in New Delhi next week to hold talks with Indian officials on various co-development and co-production proposals. Warner said a lot has been said on US investment in India, but there is a need to bring Indian investment into the US.

The Senator said key India-US collaboration opportunities to benefit both countries include skills development and cyber technology. President Obama's trip to India would be a successful one as was that of Prime Minister Modi's to the White House in September last year, Warner said. "We need to focus on areas where there are possibilities of great success," he said.

PTI