Indian and American officials signed an agreement on secure military communications following talks between top officials, which analysts say will open the door for the sale of sensitive US military hardware to New Delhi.
James Mattis, US defence chief, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held discussions with India’s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Thursday.
Both sides said they were happy with the progress made so far.
Pompeo called the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement a “milestone” in the US-India relationship, while Sitharaman said the pact would enhance India’s defence capability and preparedness.
Analysts say the deal could result in the US transferring hi-tech equipment such as the Sea Guardian armed surveillance drones to India.
“This is an important agreement and will be an advantage to India in the naval area. But there could be complications relating to non-US equipment that the Indian military uses in its fighter aircraft, ships and will use in the Russian S-400 missile systems.
“What the protocol will be in sharing information linked to non-US systems is something that is not yet clear.