Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said it was not his worry or concern that some companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin could find themselves torn between the slogans of "America First" of US President Donald Trump and "Make in India" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
These companies can sign military contracts by quoting from any plant existing around the globe, Parrikar told reporters after inaugurating the five-day "Aero India" air show at Yelahanka airbase here.
"These companies are multinational in all regards. They may have plant in Europe. They may have plant in some other parts of the world. They may have plant in USA. They can quote from any of these areas. So it is not my concern and I don't worry about it much because interpretations are taken wrongly...", he said.
"Let things be more clear, but basically my requirement is the government has to agree to it, whichever government agrees to it."He said he was nowhere concerned with restrictions, if so, on the movement of the companies from US to India.
"If a company wants to shift his facility from anywhere else it is his choice whether he sets up a new one. I am nowhere concerned with it, and if there is a restriction on some movement. As far as I am concerned, as of now, there is no so such issue. No one has written to me. I am only hearing it in the media," he added.
Some industry experts have raised concerns that Trump's push for "America First" rhetoric could perhaps intervene when the companies like Lockheed and Boeing go ahead with shifting of manufacturing units to India, responding to Modi's "Make In India' slogan.
"As far as I am concerned, as of now, there is no such issue. No one has written to me, I only hear it in the media," he said.
Parrikar said it is for the OEMs, who provide technology and help strategic partner to set up joint venture with Indian companies, to get approvals from their country.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapati Raju said the Airports Authority of India has decided to invest Rs 17,500 crore in the next five years for improving the existing airports.
If the growth rate has to be sustained and taken forward, the country needs to innovate and invest, he added.
I am very happy actually that the Ministry of Defence has partnered now with civil aviation, so that the synergies of development will help, not only them, but also our civil aviation because civil aviation is basically job creator", he said.
Raju also said the civil aviation also needs to increase the connectivity within the country, and hence the civil aviation ministry has recently brought out the regional connectivity scheme.
If the country is able to bring in 50 more active airports to the exiting 70-odd active airports, India can become the third largest civil aviation market in the world.
"Right now, we are ranked ninth. So we are working on it and trying to bring this synergy along with our defence synergy," he added.
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