Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 25: US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a joint statement that the two countries have finalised defence deals worth USD 3 billion.
In his speech PM Modi said, “The two countries have decided to take the ties to comprehensive global partnership level. The defence cooperation between two countries is reflective of the rising strategic partnership between India and the US.”
The deals that were sealed on Tuesday include procurement of 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters by India from the US at a cost of $2.6 billion and another contract to acquire six AH-64E Apache helicopters for $800 million from the US.
“US is looking forward to providing India with some of the best and most feared military equipment on the planet. We make the greatest weapons ever made: planes, missiles, rockets, ships. We make the best. And we're dealing now with India. But this includes advanced air defence systems and armed and unarmed aerial vehicles," Trump had said on Monday.
On Tuesday, Trump asserted that US focuses on having a comprehensive trade deal with India. Stating the countries have made a "wonderful deal", he said, "Our teams have made tremendous progress for a comprehensive trade agreement and I am optimistic we can reach a deal of great importance to both countries.”