Indian Foreign Affairs News & Discussions (non-US & Pakistan related

[redpearl75]

India, US discuss Chinese military presence in ***

New Delhi: The US today viewed with concern the growing Chinese assertiveness in the Asian region as India shared its apprehensions over reported People's Liberation Army presence in ***************** Kashmir.

US Pacific Command chief Admiral Robert Willard told reporters here that he discussed with India's top security leadership about the reports of Chinese military personnel being in ***, though not much information was exchanged on it.


Willard, however, said "any change in military relations or military manoeuvres by China that raises concerns of India" could be considered as certainly occurring within his area of responsibility.

He also maintained that this issue had to be tackled by the Indian military on its own.

The US Admiral, who wrapped up his two-day visit, had met Indian National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik, Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma, Army Chief General V K Singh and Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar to discuss regional security and the growing military relationship between the two countries.

To a question on China's increasing assertiveness in South China Sea and its implications of potential military conflict, Willard said his purpose as Pacific Commander was to ensure that "it did not erupt into a clash, maintain security and ensure that what we are seeing out of China or anyone else doesn't erupt into a conflict."


As Pacific Commander, the Admiral said, his first and foremost responsibility was to take forward the US-China military-to-military relations.

"We are anxious to do that. It is not easy to do and its been suspended for some time. So we have a lot of work to do to improve our relationship with the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA)," he said.

"The assertiveness that we have witnessed in the maritime regions around China has complicated that fact but not eliminated it. We think it is a regional issue and many of the US' allies and partners are concerned about. It was expressed well in Asean regional forum," he noted.

On the recent reports of Chinese submarines planting a flag in the South China Sea, the Admiral said the "expansive claims" that China had made publicly had "generated concern" and combined with assertiveness of its security forces too had "solicited concern" in the region.

"We believe that maritime claims and some of the contested areas in the South China Sea region should be settled in a peaceful way and no nation should be coercing another nation for their own benefit and at the expense of the other," he added.

"The US has asserted its national interests in the region," he said, referring to the statements in this regard by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defence Secretary Robert Gates in recent times.

Regarding the Chinese Navy's expansion plans, Willard said the growth of its capabilities and capacities in the last decade had been "remarkable", particularly its ability to sustain anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden off Somali coast, which he described as "noteworthy."

"We are watching this growth of the Chinese navy and understanding its goals and aims. We want it to contribute to the growth of regional stability. India too," he added.

On the anti-aircraft carrier missile capability that China was developing, Willard said the 'anti access area denial' capability was not new for the US Navy, which had faced it during the cold war days too.

But it was significant that a ballistic missile was being developed, which was "a natural evolution" that the American Navy was dealing with.....

 

[Kyusuibu Honbu]

India commits wide-ranging assistance to Laos​

India will provide the Lao People's Democratic Republic the first tranche worth $72.55 million for two power projects as part of a package of monetary and technical assistance in areas ranging from power and irrigation to culture.

This was announced by President Pratibha Patil in Vientiane on Friday in country delegation level talks with her counterpart President Choumally Sayasone of the Lao PDR.

“Giving modern content to a historical relationship” is how the Indian side described the wide-ranging package. Lao PDR already receives 94 per cent of India's tariff lines under the duty free tariff preference scheme meant for the least developed countries. Once Laos completes its Free Trade Agreement in goods notification this will extend to 100 per cent coverage.

The agreements committed to on Friday cover several areas. In the field of culture, a cultural exchange programme has been signed for 2011-2013, the centre piece of which is a project for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) assistance in the restoration of the 6th century temple complex of Vat Phou in the province of Champassak. This pre-Ankorian site, established by the Khmer rulers, was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2001. Work on the complex that was started by the ASI in 2009 will be resumed under the present agreement. At the talks, Ms. Patil informed her Laos' counterpart that with the approval of the Nalanda University Bill by Parliament, India was looking forward to receiving students from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries including Laos.

The two leaders performed a “virtual” inauguration of the 115 KV Paksong Bangyo double circuit transmission line located in Champassak province, for a length of 53 km constructed by Angelique International Ltd, a New Delhi-based engineering and construction company. India provided a $ 10 million line of credit for this in 2008. The company has also constructed the Namsong Hydro Project.

The new commitment for $ 72.55 million was made for a 230 KV Double Circuit Transmission Line from Nabong to Thabok with sub stations ($ 34.68 million), and the 15 MW Nam Boun 2 hydro power project ($ 37.86 million). In addition, Laos sought $30 million more credit for the development of irrigation schemes in four provinces. India has spent or committed a total credit line of $162 million to Laos.

 

[SpArK]

India wants Laos to implement free trade pact soon


PTI | 10:09 PM,Sep 10,2010
Rakesh Mohan Chaturvedi Vientiane (Laos), Sep 10 (PTI) India today hoped that Laos would soon implement the India-ASEAN free trade pact, giving a boost to the bilateral commerce of USD 36.98 million. It also offered to be Laos' partner in its socio-economic strategy for economic progress which will help it move out of the Least Developed Country (LDC) status. "On trade, we hope that Laos will issue the necessary notification at an early date to bring the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement into force," President Pratibha Patil, who is here on a visit, said in her banquet speech at a dinner hosted by Laos President Choummaly Sayasone in her honour. While, India-ASEAN free trade agreement came into force from January this year, only five of its 10-member countries have implemented it. When notified, Laos will join Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar. Patil hoped Laos will participate in the India-ASEAN trade Fair scheduled in March 2011 in New Delhi. She expressed her admiration for the efforts being made by Laos to become a developed country. "We admire your dynamic leadership in shaping the growth of your country, and in pursuing a Socio-Economic Development Strategy that seeks to move Laos out of the LDC status by 2020. India is willing to be your development partner," she said. Sayasone thanked India for its economic cooperation and extending a credit line of USD 72.55 million to hydro-projects in Laos. He also hailed India's efforts in the field of international diplomacy, especially its role in Non-Aligned Movement, G-77 and Mekong-Ganga Cooperation. PTI AS

 

[RPK]

news.outlookindia.com | India Wants to Deepen Ties with Yemen: New Envoy


The current bilateral relations between India and Yemen are strong and there is great scope for strengthening the ties further, India's new Ambassador to Yemen Ausaf Sayeed said here tonight.

"The current relations are very strong as they are based on long civilisational contacts which is more than 100 years old. We have nearly 200,000 Yemenis of Indian origin in Yemen. Also, there are 100,000 Indians of Yemeni origin. In the contemporary context, we have very strong trade relations. We have a trade of more than USD 2 billion," he told PTI.

The trade ties are mainly in the hydrocarbons and fertilisers sectors and companies like Nagarjuna Fertilisers, NTPC and TCIL are keen to make investments in Yemen, he said.

The bilateral relations can be further strengthened, especially in the economic domain, he said.

Sayeed, who hails from Hyderabad, was facilitated here tonight on his new posting.

"We are looking forward to the visit of President of Yemen. Such high-level visits would pave the way for further cooperation between the two countries."

"This is one thrust. Another is increasing the capacity building in Yemen in terms of providing opportunities for training and education here. We have offered about 40 scholarships to Yemen," Sayeed said.

The visit of Yemen's President has been accepted in principle and the dates have to be worked out, he said. From India, the then Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor visited Yemen and the this was followed by the visit of top External Affairs Ministry officials, Sayeed said.

To a query, he said Yemen has offered 11 oil blocks to foreign companies. Of these, seven are given to Indian firms - three to Reliance and four to GPCL, a Gujarat-based company.

There are also going to be opportunities in infrastructure, agriculture and IT sectors, Sayeed said.

The Hyderabad-based Nagarjuna Fertilisers and Chemicals is planning to set up a plant in Yemen, a company official said at the felicitation function.

Rehman, a former TRS leader who participated in the function, appealed to Sayeed to help set up a Consulate of Yemen in Hyderabad in view of the good presence of people of Yemeni-origin in the city.

Responding to the request, Sayeed said it is a decision to be taken by the Yemen Government which is based on factors like number of people settled in the city. Mumbai is also being considered to set up the Consulate.

 

[perfectmachine]

Perfect Machine Fabric leading manufacturer of a slew of Hydraulic Cylinders, Hydraulic Equipments Manufacturers both standards as well as per custom built specification in India.

 

[RPK]

US wants to strengthen military ties with India: Robert Gates - The Economic Times


WASHINGTON: Ahead of his meeting with Indian counterpart AK Antony, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said the Pentagon wants to strengthen and expand its military to military ties with India.

"We are looking to expand this relationship in ways that are mutually beneficial," Gates told reporters at a Pentagon briefing ahead of the crucial Antony visit next week.

"They (India) have a big competition going on for a new modern fighter. We'll probably have some conversations about that," Gates.

The Defence Secretary said he had a very good visit to India last year wherein he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister A K Antony.

Responding to a question on the India's concerns about restriction on export of high-technology items, Gates acknowledged that this is high on the agenda and he would like to see those restrictions removed.

"I think that that is certainly high on our list, particularly in the context of export-import, or export controls, and my view of the importance of changing those export controls in ways that better protect the things that are really important and open up trade and allow US companies to sell abroad those things that technologies that are not critical," Gates said.

"So, I think India certainly is high on our list in terms of a country that we would like, I would like to see those restrictions eased," Gates said at the Pentagon news conference which was jointly addressed by Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The military-to-military relationship with India is exceptionally strong and growing, said Mullen.

"We are very committed to that, and with all of our services. I was recently there and it has taken on a significance that is equal to so many other historic relationships for us, and we know that," Mullen said.

"The Indian Ocean, we also know, is an incredibly important body of water; not just now, but also in the future. So we recognise the importance of keeping that relationship as strong as it is, and also making it grow," he said.

 

[redpearl75]

Indian Delegation in Arms Talks With Washington

NEW DELHI - Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony has begun talks with U.S. officials in Washington to win approval to purchase unspecified numbers of weapons and equipment that could be inked during President Barack Obama's visit to New Delhi in November, said Indian Defence Ministry sources.

Antony arrived in Washington on Sept. 26 heading what a senior Indian Defence Ministry official called a "high-powered delegation" to hold talks with U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and National Security Adviser James Jones. The delegation includes Indian Permanent Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar and the defense minister's adviser, Sundaram Krishna.

The Defence Ministry official said that while New Delhi is concerned over U.S. arms sales to Pakistan and the continuation of U.S. export controls against several Indian entities, New Delhi wants to increase defense ties with Washington.

Indian Defence Ministry sources said the weapons under discussion will include anti-ballistic missile systems and the sale of C-17 transport aircraft.

India plans to procure the David's Sling and Iron Dome missile defense systems. David's Sling is a joint effort between Rafael of Israel and Raytheon of the United States. New Delhi, which has already discussed the program with Israel, also needs to gets clearance from Washington because it is a joint Israel-U.S. program.

The Indian military wants David's Sling and Iron Dome to protect against cruise missiles. The Indian Air Force favors David's Sling because it is an effective hit-to-kill interceptor against short-range ballistic missiles, rockets and cruise missiles.

Indian Delegation in Arms Talks With Washington - Defense News

 

[redpearl75]

:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::

India, Japan set to boost military ties
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 27
Amidst diplomatic tension between Tokyo and Beijing, China’s two neighbours Japan and India today signalled a significant boost in their military ties. The two nations will conduct their first ever Army-to-Army talks starting tomorrow in New Delhi. Separately, the Indian Air Force Chief will be visiting Japan.

The four-day talks come at time when China is exerting pressure on Japan and the two countries are locked in a bitter dispute over the control of un-inhabited islands in the South East China Sea. India, early this month, upped its military relations with South Korea, another China’s neighbour. South Korea and China see each other with suspicion largely due to China’s “friendship” with North Korea - a major irritant for the South Korea.

Apart from the Army-level talks that will plan joint exercises and military exchanges between India and Japan, the IAF Chief Air Chief Marshall P V Naik will embark on a four-day visit to Tokyo tomorrow. "Naik will be on a goodwill visit to Tokyo….. while a Japanese Army team will be in Delhi to chalk out programmes aimed at furthering army-to-army contact," Defence Ministry officials confirmed here today.

Naik's visit comes three years after then Air Force chief S P Tyagi had gone to Tokyo on a visit. Naik, in his capacity as the Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, will be meeting with his Japanese defence forces' Chief of Staff General Kenichiro Hokazono when they would debate regional security issues. He would also be taking a tour of military installations of Japan and a couple of their training institutes during the visit. Gen Hokazono is expected to pay a return visit to Delhi next year for the same purpose.

Meanwhile, the visiting Japanese Army team will be led by its Director (Policy and Programme) Major General Koichiro Bansho and three other officers. “They will draw up a calendar of joint events,” a senior official said. India has such an arrangement with eight other countries like the US, the UK, Israel, France, Australia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Singapore. Notably, Bangladesh is on either side of the Asian divide. The country had military relations with China also. Singapore is more on the Indian side.

In the four-day discussion, India and Japan are expected to share their ‘mutual security concerns’ and issues and review the bilateral army-to-army relations. The mutual security concerns are aimed at China, said a source while adding that it is natural.

Defence Minister A K Antony had visited Japan in November 2009. During that visit, Antony and his Japanese counterpart Toshimi Kitazawa had reviewed the on-going defence related interactions and explored ways to enhance such exchanges for mutual benefit.

Among the issues discussed then were conducting joint exercises between the two armed forces and exchange of students in their respective defence training institutions and the possibilities of co-ordination of their respective Navy's efforts in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and other maritime security challenges.

 

[redpearl75]

:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::

The Next Nuclear Arms Race
China and India are raising the stakes by modernizing and deploying more forces along their shared border.

India and Pakistan are the two countries most likely to engage in nuclear war, or so goes the common wisdom. Yet if recent events are any indication, the world's most vigorous nuclear competition may well erupt between Asia's two giants: India and China.

Both countries already house significant and growing arsenals. China is estimated to have approximately 450 warheads; India, roughly 100. Though intensifying as of late, Sino-Indian nuclear competition has a long history: India's pursuit of a weapons program in the 1960s was triggered in part by China's initial nuclear tests, and the two have eyed one another's arsenals with mounting concern ever since. The competition intensified in 2007, when China began to upgrade missile facilities near Tibet, placing targets in northern India within range of its forces.

Yet the stakes have been raised yet again in recent months. Indian defense minister A.K. Antony announced last month that the military will soon incorporate into its arsenal a new intermediate-range missile, the Agni-III, which is capable of reaching all of China's major cities. Delhi is also reportedly considering redeploying survivable, medium-range Agni-IIs to its northeastern border. And just last month, India shifted a squadron of Su-30MKI fighters to a base just 150 kilometers from the disputed Sino-Indian border. An Indian Air Force official told Defense News these nuclear-armed planes could operate deep within China with midflight refueling.

For its part, China continues to enhance the quality, quantity and delivery systems of its nuclear forces. The Pentagon reported last month that the People's Liberation Army has replaced older, vulnerable ballistic missiles deployed in Western China with modern, survivable ones; this transition has taken place over the last four years. China's Hainan Island naval base houses new, nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines and affords those boats easy access to the Indian Ocean. China's military is also developing a new, longer range submarine-launched ballistic missile which will allow its subs to strike targets throughout India from the secure confines of the South China Sea.

No single event has stoked this rise in tensions. China, already concerned about India's growing strength and its desire to play a greater role in Asia, is even less enthused about the burgeoning strategic partnership between Delhi and Washington. While Beijing has learned to live with American forces on its eastern periphery, the possibility of an intimate U.S.-India military relationship has generated fears of encirclement. The ongoing Sino-Indian border dispute, as well as India's position astride China's key maritime shipping lanes, has made the prospect of a Washington-Delhi axis appear particularly troubling.

View Full Image

Associated Press

India's surface-to-surface missile Agni-II launches off Wheelers island in Orissa state, India, on May 17, 2010.
India likewise feels encircled by China's so-called "string of pearls"—a series of Chinese-built, ostensibly commercial port facilities in the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. Beijing's military ties to Pakistan, interference in the Kashmir dispute and references to Arunachal Pradesh, an Indian state, as "Southern Tibet" have done little to reassure New Delhi of Chinese intentions. The rapid growth of China's conventional military might in recent years—between 2000 and 2009, China's military spending more than tripled—and the lack of clarity as to its intentions, has spurred India to pursue its own military modernization.

These shifts in India's and China's nuclear force postures thus represent only the latest and most serious efforts to constrain and convey dissatisfaction with the other's perceived regional ambitions. But they are more troubling than conventional redeployments.

First, these developments suggest that neither country has confidence in the other's "no first use" policy. India has good reason for concern: The number of missions attributed to China's deterrent—responding to nuclear attacks, deterring conventional attacks against nuclear assets, providing Beijing freedom from nuclear coercion and otherwise "reinforcing China's great power status"—were enough to make the authors of the Pentagon's annual report on China's military power last year question the country's commitment to its "no first use" policy. India, for its part, relies on its nuclear forces to offset gaps and imbalances between its conventional military capabilities and those of China.

Second, there is a point at which efforts to enhance deterrence can foster an arms race. Any attempt on the part of China to increase its own defenses necessarily weakens, or is perceived to weaken, the security of India, thus spurring further defense build-ups; the opposite is true as well. Shifts in nuclear force posture can be particularly disruptive, and have been known to precipitate crises. Upon the discovery of Soviet efforts to deploy missiles to Cuba in 1962, for example, the U.S. responded militarily with a naval "quarantine" of the island, bringing Washington and Moscow as close as they have ever come to a nuclear war.

Finally, the redeployments of India's and China's nuclear forces suggest that there is deep-seated and growing discord between the two Asian giants. This is troubling news for a region whose future peace and prosperity depends heavily on continued comity between Delhi and Beijing. It is only a matter of time before the China-India military competition begins to affect neighboring states. China's nuclear force modernization, for instance, stands to threaten not only India, but also Korea, Japan and other U.S. partners in Asia. A dramatic defense buildup in India, meanwhile, will no doubt leave Pakistan feeling less secure.

Tensions are unlikely to ease any time soon. The two countries appear much closer to the brink of an all-out arms race than they do to any resolution of their differences. While each profits from the other's economic growth, it is that very growth—which finances military modernization and which is so dependent on potentially vulnerable overseas trade—that creates the conditions for heightened insecurity.

Mr. Sullivan is research fellow and program manager at the American Enterprise Institute's Center for Defense Studies. Mr. Mazza is a senior research associate at AEI.....

---------- Post added at 04:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:45 PM ----------

 

[SpArK]

World Bank may invest in $11 billion India fund


(Reuters) - The World Bank is exploring whether to invest in an $11 billion debt fund the Indian government will roll out by next year as part of a massive push to its infrastructure sector, the bank's India head said.

Roberto Zagha said India was making progress in tackling procedural hassles that have held back faster infrastructure growth but a major roadblock to more private investment was a shortage of bankable projects.

The World Bank was likely to lend around $15 billion to $20 billion to India's infrastructure sector in the next five years. Typically the bank's lending to the sector ranges between 40-60 percent of the total annual lending.

The government has announced the $11 billion debt fund as a part of a series of recent measures to overhaul India's creaking infrastructure, which has long been seen as hobbling faster growth in Asia's third-largest economy. A similar fund is also under consideration for the power sector.

"It is being explored," Zagha said in an interview as part of the Reuters India Investment Summit, when asked whether the World Bank would contribute to the fund.

"Our role is not entirely clear, whether there is a need for finance from the bank, or whether there is a need for expertise from the bank," he added.

Pending legislation to give farmers a better deal in land acquisition would be a big step toward balancing development with social justice and help ease the implementation of infrastructure projects, he said.

The Indian government plans to double spending on infrastructure to $1 trillion in its next five-year plan, which runs from 2012-17.

"That's a statement of intent," said Zagha, referring to the spending target. "There's a sense of urgency in the government which I didn't see before. That's very encouraging."

There was at least $50 billion to $60 billion untapped investor potential in water and sewage treatment projects alone, he said.

"I don't think financing is an issue." he said. "The greatest challenge is bankable projects. Investors will come, financing will be found if you find ways of making projects which are commercially attractive and bankable."

The fiasco of New Delhi's preparations to host the Commonwealth Games has proved an embarrassment to the government and raised worries in some quarters, including the rating agency Moody's Analytics, that it could deter foreign investment.

"I don't think it matters," Zagha said, when asked whether the Games could hit investor sentiment. "But it does show the organizational issues that India has to deal with."


World Bank may invest in $11 billion India fund | Reuters

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[SpArK]

India, UK sign MOU in roads sector
​

28 September 2010

India and the UK yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together in areas of road transport, highways and related services.

The MoU will be valid for a period of five years with both countries retaining the option to review the memorandum periodically on the basis of mutual consultation before the five year period is over.

The delivery of specific services identified on the basis of the memorandum is to be negotiated is by contract or separate detailed arrangements. Further amendments to the memorandum can be made at any time through mutual consent between the participants.

The participants would also resolve outstanding matters on the basis of mutual consultation and termination would not affect the validity of any contract or separate detailed arrangements made under the memorandum.

domain-b.com : India, UK sign MOU in roads sector

 

[SpArK]

US-India agree ''keep in close touch'' on Afghanistan​

New York, Sep 28 (PTI) Amid concerns over surge in terrorism and instability in Afghanistan, the US and India have agreed to "keep in close touch" about developments in the war-torn nation as Washington appreciated New Delhi''s efforts in the country''s development sector.

During a bilateral meeting between Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton here, India and US also agreed to embark on a road of "triangular cooperation" in Afghanistan.

According to Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, who accompanied Krishna for the bilateral with Clinton yesterday, both countries felt the "need to keep in close touch about developments in Afghanistan because they share the same goals and concerns" in combating terrorism and securing stability.

The top Indian diplomat told journalists that the US appreciated India''s efforts in the development sector in Afghanistan, which included the empowerment of the weaker sections and women as well as other activities in health, education and communication sectors.

US Assistant Secretary Robert Blake said Clinton and Krishna "discussed our shared commitment to Afghanistan."
"Secretary Clinton thanked the minister for the extensive development assistance India has provided Afghanistan and she expressed US desire to continue to work closely in that important country," he told journalists after the key meeting.

They also decided to embark on a road of "triangular cooperation" in Afghanistan and African countries with a focus on developmental projects that all the three countries can work on together.

In the coming few months, officials from the USAID and India will identify countries and projects, according to Rao.

Pakistan has objected to India''s presence in Afghanistan, and raised the matter with the US several times.

Under pressure from Islamabad, Washington has previously hinted at a lesser role for India in the war-torn country, which New Delhi has firmly rejected.

With regard to the flood relief efforts in Pakistan, Blake noted that US welcomed India''s contribution of USD 25 million contribution where the natural disaster has impacted 21 million people as well as destroyed large tracts of agriculture and infrastructure.

"The Secretary took the opportunity to thank Minister Krishna for India''s USD 25 million contribution to flood relief for Pakistan," the top US official said.

Clinton and Krishna are here to attend the opening session of the General Assembly, which kicked off last week, and is now winding down.

Krishna will speak at the annual debate of the General Assembly tomorrow.

US-India agree ''keep in close touch'' on Afghanistan - *International News ? News ? MSN India

 

[redpearl75]

BAE Systems accepts System Integration Facility Clause enabling 74 per cent FDI in Defense

2010-09-28 Global defence security and aerospace major BAE Systems is ready to accept Government's rider that 74 per cent FDI in defence sector be allowed only if a foreign bidder sets up its hi-tech system integration facility in India. In its recent discussion paper, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) suggested that foreign direct investment in the defence production be raised from 26 per cent to 74 per cent, subject to system integration facility (SIF) in India.

It had said that whenever the Ministry of Defence invites the "Requests for Proposals (RFP)" for its future weaponry requirements, it must be with the condition of SIF in the country. However, according to sources, doubts were raised in certain government quarters whether such terms would be acceptable to global defence vendors, which have remained reluctant to share technology.

"The imposition by the MoD of a condition in an RFP that the successful bidder set up a SIF (or use an already existing facility) in India with a certain minimum percentage of value addition in India would be consistent with encouraging OEMs to commit resource, capability and capital India's growing Defence industry," BAE Systems said in its response to the discussion paper to the DIPP.

Besides, BAE, a mega European aerospace is "in talk with the government on the SIF issue and seem to be ready to toe our line," a senior official said.

As one of the largest users and importers of conventional defence equipment, India's cumulative defence budget has been growing at 13.4 per cent since 2006-07 rising up to Rs 1,47,344 crore (USD 31.9 billion). Of this, about 40 per cent is the capital expenditure and 70 per cent of which is met through imports.

:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::

 

[SpArK]

Greece seeks Indian''s cooperation in shipping sector


PTI | 09:10 PM,Oct 05,2010


Sagar Kulkarni Brussels, Oct 5 (PTI) Tackling a debt-ridden economy at home, Greece Prime Minister George Papandreou today met Vice President Hamid Ansari and sought India''s cooperation in the shipping sector that is a key revenue earner for the southeastern European nation.

Papandreou made the offer during a meeting with Ansari on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting underway here."Papandreou briefed Ansari about the internal situation in his country," Latha Reddy, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs told reporters here.


The Greek Prime Minister told Ansari that the Greek shipping lines can handle a lot of India''s exports to the European Union markets."Greece is interested in cooperation on shipping matters," she said here on Ansari''s meetings.The two leaders also discussed the increasing incidents of pirate attacks between the Guld of Aden and Seychelles which pose a threat to the Greek shipping lines.Shipping and tourism are the two sectors that contribute most to the Greek economy and its shipping lines are considered as the most important in the world.


Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who visited Greece while enroute for the ASEM summit, announced a five bilion dollar fund to help Greek shipping companies buy Chinese ships.


Greece is desperate for investment as the country claws its way out of a deep recession and a debt crisis that drove it to the brink of bankruptcy in May.Ansari also had a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak who offered the services of Malaysian companies in various infrastructure projects in India.


Najib told Ansari that he was looking forward to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh''s visit to Malaysia later this month.The Vice President held discussions with Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme who thanked India for its active participation in the ASEM preparations.Leterme told Ansari that he was looking forward to Singh''s visit here in December for the India-EU summit and the bilateral talks that would be held alongside the visit. PTI SKU



Greece seeks Indian''s cooperation in shipping sector, IBN Live News

 

[jha]

Greece can become a very profitable destination to invest for Indian companies in long run.