After its fighters were rejected for India's multi-billion dollar fighter jet deal, the US today said even though it was deeply disappointed, no single issue could dictate Indo-US ties.
“We respect the Indian procurement process but we are deeply disappointed. However, I am an optimist. No single issue can decide the Indo-US relationship. Our partnership is resilient and global in nature. It would make us inextricable in the coming decades,” said US ambassador Timothy J Roemer.
His statement comes a day after India announced the rejection of two US aircraft —Boeing's F-18 and Lockheed Martin's F-16, from multi billion dollar 126 medium-multi role combat aircraft deal, in which European Eurofighter and French Rafale have been shortlisted. He had resigned a day after India informed America about its decision.
Addressing the gathering, Roemer said, “The US–India partnership is on a trajectory that knows no limits. We are entering a golden age in our relations that will result in us creating economic opportunities for our citizens and ensuring safe and secure communities throughout the world.”
He further talked about the Indo-US partnership in areas of health, education, trade, energy and agriculture. Calling his two year-long stint in India “extraordinarily successful and rewarding”, Roemer said, “Our two countries are collaborating and partnering in almost every field of human endeavor.”
On defence ties, Roemer said, “One simply has to look at the growth in defence sales to see how close our two armed forces are becoming. We now have regular exercises across all services.”
“I had the pleasure of attending the arrival ceremony of the first of six C130-J planes that were delivered to India this February. Several more have since been delivered,” he said.
Though US has expressed disappointment over its companies not getting through the sircraft deal, Roemer talked about future projects like C-17 Globemaster, the biggest military transporter, and its impact on the American economy. “We are expecting success with the sale of C-17 aircraft. Once this over $4-billion sale is finalised, the economic impact will be felt by 30,000 American workers and 650 American suppliers ,” he said.