SENATOR BOND DISCUSSES FIGHTER PLANES WITH DEFMIN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002058 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS H PLEASE PASS TO SENATOR BOND E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL MARR ETRD IN SUBJECT: SENATOR BOND DISCUSSES FIGHTER PLANES WITH DEFMIN MUKHERJEE ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Visiting Senator Kit Bond of Missouri discussed the growing US-India defense relationship with Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee on March 23. Senator Bond encouraged the GOI to select F/A-18 fighter aircraft to help replace its aging MiG fleet, and Mukherjee sounded out the Senator for his views on the prospects for early passage of legislation to realize the March 2 civil nuclear cooperation initiative. End Summary. US-India Defense Cooperation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Defense Minister Mukherjee noted that defense cooperation was a particularly fast-growing sector of the US-India relationship. He asserted that India is interested in procuring platforms and equipment from the US and would recommend that more American companies respond to MOD requests for information (RFI). Mukherjee emphasized that strengthening industrial and business relations in the defense sector would help build constituencies in both countries for continued close ties. F/A-18s for India -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Pointing to India's upcoming purchase of 126 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA),Senator Bond assured the Minister that the Boeing F/A-18 is the most capable and reliable option for India's purchase, and he would make every effort to ensure the USG approves the inclusion of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars with the aircraft. With the AESA radars, the F/A-18 would cost more than some of its competitors, but the additional capability would be worth the cost, Senator Bond stressed, noting that Boeing tactical aircraft have an excellent combat record. Mukherjee observed that the GOI is interested in American options for the MRCA contract, and said the GOI observed American fighters during joint exercises with the USAF and the Singapore Air Force in the past six months. Civil Nuclear Agreement -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Responding to Mukherjee's query about the prospects for Congressional passage of the civil nuclear cooperation initiative, Senator Bond explained that it faces a difficult time in Congress following the discord over the abortive Dubai Ports World deal. However, the Senator explained that in his view, the nuclear deal poses no security concern to the US, and he would work to convince his colleagues in the Senate that the agreement "makes sense" for the US in developing its relationship with its most important partner in the region. The Senate's schedule is tight, he continued, and passage of the necessary legislation by May would be difficult. Minister Mukherjee commented that passage of the nuclear legislation "would be the most effective confidence-building measure" for the US-India relationship. ¶5. (U) Meeting participants were: US Senator Bond Ambassador Mulford Defense Attache COL Steve Sboto NEW DELHI 00002058 002 OF 002 Jason Van Eaton, Senate Staff Michael Dubois, Senate Staff Poloff Jai Nair, notetaker India Defense Minister Mukherjee MOD Joint Secretary (International) Kiran Chadha MEA Director (Americas) Gaitri Kumar ¶6. (U) Codel Bond was not able to review this message. ¶7. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website: (http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/) MULFORD