US wishes to become bigger military supplier to India

"The US has a major interest in becoming a big player in India's military equipment supply. The US is yet a small supplier but we are in discussions for increasing that involvement. We wish to indicate and demonstrate our interest in becoming a major player in India," said David C Mulford, US Ambassador to India, here on Tuesday.

He was addressing the media on the first ever participation of the US department of defence in Aero India.

Mulford added that though the display of the aircraft at the show, which includes the P3 Orion and the F15E Strike Eagle among others, does not entail the prospect of actual sale, it was nevertheless hoped to increase discussions between the two countries.

"We are not simply in the business of selling arms. We are in the business of geopolitical relationships. And the US President has identified India as a key area of partnership, an extension of which would be the military working together. We are keen to see a large increase in supply activities to India in the future," said Mulford.

Mulford refused comment on queries related to the F16 and the prospective sale of the same to Pakistan.

When asked about the possibility of sharing advanced technologies developed by the US military with India, Mulford responded, "The matter is a little complicated. But as we move into the second phase of the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP), we hope to work through these very complex issues. India is probably the only country we are doing that with, to expand access and enable better commerce."

A delegation member said the US did not rule out the possibility of co-production of airplane components or their contract manufacture in India, saying they would take it on a case-by-case basis.