| One of the largest ever American commercial | | | | its own defense," he said. "That promotes peace, |
| delegations to a foreign defense exposition has been | | | | that promotes stability, rather than the other way |
| dispatched to India. It is part of an effort by the | | | | around." |
| United States to bolster strategic ties with India, | | | | China and Pakistan are not present at the exposition. |
| which traditionally turned to Moscow for its arms | | | | Some American arms manufacturers are looking to |
| purchases. As VOA correspondent Steve Herman | | | | establish a permanent presence here. They are |
| reports from New Delhi, American weapons | | | | setting up offices in India and seeking partnerships |
| merchants downplay concerns of India's neighbors | | | | with Indian companies that have entered the field |
| that a more robust Indian military will destabilize its | | | | since 1991 when India first allowed the private sector |
| tense neighborhood. | | | | to supply components to the armed forces. |
| The biggest defense fair in South Asia began on | | | | Among those meeting with prospective partners |
| Saturday with arms makers from 30 countries | | | | during the defense exhibition, is retired U.S. navy |
| displaying their wares. They are hoping supply the | | | | admiral Walter Doran, now president of Raytheon |
| world's fourth largest military. India is expected to | | | | Asia. |
| spend tens of billions of dollars in the next several | | | | "All of us are looking for strategic partners at various |
| years on fighter jets, helicopters, submarines, artillery | | | | levels as we come into India, and we're looking for |
| and related state-of-the-art technology, purchased | | | | those businesses that can provide quality, that have |
| abroad. | | | | the manufacturing capability but also that have the |
| All of the major American military contractors are | | | | ethical standards that we can work with," he said. |
| here in New Delhi for the four-day Defense Expo | | | | Lockheed Martin has announced it is establishing an |
| 2008. Their timing is fortuitous as India weans itself | | | | Indian subsidiary, headed by Douglas Hartwick, |
| from its traditional weapons supplier, Russia. | | | | former U.S. ambassador to Laos. The company |
| The U.S. delegation is being led by former Defense | | | | recently was awarded a $1 billion contract by India to |
| Secretary William Cohen. He downplays concerns that | | | | supply six (C-130J) military transport planes. |
| an Indian military with the capability to support New | | | | Lockheed and another U.S. airplane manufacturer, |
| Delhi's strategic and diplomatic objectives will alarm | | | | Boeing, are in the competition, along with European |
| Pakistan and China, two nuclear-armed countries with | | | | and Russian companies, to supply India with more |
| which India has previously clashed on the battlefield. | | | | than 100 new fighter jets. The $10 billion tender is |
| "Perhaps it'll persuade China that India is a strong | | | | expected to be issued next month. |
| country, a great country and one that is capable of | | | | |