Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NEWDELHI2058
2006-03-24 12:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
SENATOR BOND DISCUSSES FIGHTER PLANES WITH DEFMIN
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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
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
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