India will buy American weapons instead of Russian

US President Donald Trump concludes his two-day visit to India on February 25. After negotiations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he announced a $ 3 billion deal for the purchase of US weapons by the South Asian republic, including Apache and MH-60R helicopters. Today, about two-thirds of all Indian weapons are from Russia or the USSR. However, experts point out that in recent decades, New Delhi has been trying to interact with all international players and diversifies its military purchases. 

US President Donald Trump concludes his two-day visit to India on February 25. After negotiations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he announced a $ 3 billion deal for the purchase of US weapons by the South Asian republic, including Apache and MH-60R helicopters. Today, about two-thirds of all Indian weapons are from Russia or the USSR. However, experts point out that in recent decades, New Delhi has been trying to interact with all international players and diversifies its military purchases. 

“We believe our relationship with India has never been as good as it is today ,” Trump said after meeting with Modi on February 25th.

He confirmed the deal on India’s purchase of US $ 3 billion Apache and MH-60R helicopters by India. However, it has been known for a long time. India recently “wants to be friends with everyone.” And although about 60% of all weapons and military equipment in India comes from Russia or the USSR, since the 1990s, New Delhi has been making more and more purchases from other states.

Among the topics on which it was difficult for the leaders of the United States and India to disagree - the confrontation with China and the fight against terrorism in Pakistan. Washington is waging a protracted trade war with Beijing, seeking not only to achieve trade preferences, but also to curb the expansion of Chinese technology to the West, in particular, introducing restrictions on Huawei. India also sees China as a competitor in the global arena: both countries play in the cheap labor market, both have been growing rapidly in recent years. The Indian economy is still lagging behind its Chinese neighbor, but the local government is dominated by the “catch up and overtake” attitude. It is no coincidence that Trump in his stadium speech in Ahmedabad hinted at the advantages of a democratic India over communist China.

The rise of Indian well-being is an example for all other countries and one of the outstanding achievements of the century , ”he emphasized. “ It looks even more inspiring because you made it like a democratic country, like a peaceful country, you made it like a tolerant country, like a great, free country.”

In light of US plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, their attention has also increased in neighboring Pakistan. For India, which constantly declares a terrorist threat emanating from Pakistan, this topic is also important.

The United States is also working productively with Pakistan to counter the terrorists that operate on its territory , Trump assured the Indian side.

But in another important area for both countries - trade - no breakthrough occurred. India is currently enjoying the US trade privileges for developing countries, supplying cheap manufactured goods to Americans, including vital medicines. But Trump is unhappy with the deficit in bilateral trade and intends to conclude a new, more beneficial Washington agreement with New Delhi. Before the conversation began, Trump called Modi “a tough negotiator” and, apparently, was not mistaken. After the talks, the US president was only able to declare his optimism about reaching a new trade agreement in the future. However, analystspreviously predicted: the maximum that shines between the two leaders in terms of trade at the February meeting is to agree not to introduce yet new import duties. And so it happened.