New Delhi
9 March 2011
Buying American fighter aircraft would hopefully be the "logical next step" in
the relationship between India and the United States, according to US ambassador to
India Timothy Roemer.
The F-16 Super Viper from Lockheed Martin and Boeing's F/A-18 are the two American
aircraft vying for a multi-billion dollar combat aircraft deal.
"Hopefully the next step will be as India evaluates in the medium-multi role combat
aircraft deal... that they will decide to pick one of the US aircraft", Roemer said while
addressing a conference here Wednesday.
"This becomes the very logical next step in the relationship. This will be a very
important indicator of where this relationship goes in the 21st century," he noted.
Russian MiG-35, French Dassault Rafale, European Eurofighter Typhoon and Swedish
Gripen are also in the fray for the 11 billion dollar deal.
Asked if the ties between the two sides would suffer if India selects any other aircraft,
Roemer said, "Across the board, US is elevating, raising India to a global partner. The
MMRCA seems to be a logical next step in building this strategic partnership on the
defence side."
"We are optimistic and want to build strategic ties with India and MMRCA is going to be a
very vigorous competition. But we are confident and hopeful," he added.
(with PTI inputs)
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