With Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to visit the U.S. next week, the U.S. government is reportedly pressuring India to purchase large-scale drones.

On the 13th, it was reported that such negotiations are underway between the U.S. and India, citing related orthodox sources.
As India has expressed its willingness to purchase armed drones from the U.S., attention is being paid to whether the actual contract will be made during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the U.S. The Indian government is at odds with China, including border disputes, so it is seen as a response to the Chinese drone unit.The size of the drone that India wants to purchase from the U.S. is said to range from about $2 billion to $3 billion. After Modi’s visit to the U.S. was confirmed, the U.S. State Department, the Defense Department and the White House mentioned the possibility of trading up to 30 General Atomics’ MQ-9B drones to India, sources said.

They said they could show progress in trading for 30 MQ-9B Sigid drones.
In addition, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi are expected to discuss joint production of armored vehicles and military supplies, sources said. As President Biden is paying special attention to the Indo-Pacific region against China’s expansion of influence, high-tech military technology cooperation between the two countries is expected to increase further. In particular, attention is being paid to whether India, which continues its economic cooperation with Russia amid the prolonged Ukrainian war, will affect India’s future diplomatic relations if the drone purchase process with the U.S. is completed this time.

“It will be a decision that the Indian government has to make,” a senior Biden administration official said. Meanwhile, the U.S. believes that Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the U.S. will serve as an opportunity to solidify what President Biden called a “defining relationship.” U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinkon said at the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) in Washington the previous day that Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the U.S., which begins on the 22nd, will be “historic.” Blinkon said the U.S. and India are making “transformational investments” to strengthen key facilities being pursued by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi, stressing that this will help the two economies become more productive and attractive to investors.

JULIE KIM

US ASIA JOURNAL