Looking to spend over USD 100 billion in weapons procurement over the next decade, India has asked the United States to move beyond the buyer-seller relationship and provide access to high tech items and transfer of technology of key equipment.
During a meeting with his US counterpart Leon Panetta, Antony said, "the priority for India is to move beyond the buyer-seller transactions and to focus on transfer of technologies and partnerships to build indigenous capabilities.”
In response to the Defence Minister’s request, Panetta assured that "Washington would initiate measures to facilitate technology access and sharing.”
The US Defence Secretary also agreed with the suggestions made by DRDO Chief V K Saraswat that America should redefine the definition of the dual use technology items as the removal of sanctions from Indian entities has remained only on paper so far.
Panetta said that the State Department along with others will work to relax the Export Control regime especially for India.
During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the security situation in West Asia, South Asia and the Af-Pak region and on various global security challenges, including in the area of cyber security. They agreed that there are opportunities to enhance ties in areas of mutual interest and concern, says a Defence Ministry release. |