Speeches and Remarks

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador David C. Mulford at the Inauguration of the U.S. Pavilion at the Aero India International Exhibition, Bangalore

February 9, 2005

As prepared for delivery

I am pleased to be here today to inaugurate the United States pavilion at the Aero India International Exhibition. I am especially proud that this year marks the largest participation ever for the United States at Aero India. In addition to the five state of the art aircraft on display, fifteen American defense and aerospace companies have joined the Department of Defense to showcase their products as well as broadcast their intention to deepen commercial ties with India.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said after his meeting with President Bush last fall, the "best is yet to come." We agree. In fact, the significant presence of the U.S. government, military and private sectors at this exposition sends a clear message that the U.S. is committed to increasing cooperation, particularly defense cooperation, with India.

Defense cooperation accents the transformed nature of U.S.-India bilateral relationship. In response to the recent tsunami disaster, for example, the United States and India put years of joint exercises into practice by working closely to bring relief to devastated areas in Sri Lanka and other affected areas in the region. Our close and successful cooperation in providing tsunami relief was vivid evidence of how far our defense relationship has progressed and a template for future joint efforts to address common regional security and humanitarian contingencies.

For the United States, defense sales are a part of our overall national security policy, not simply a matter of business and commerce. The Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program of the U.S. Defense Department is the government-to-government method for selling American defense equipment, services, and training. Responsible arms sales further national security and foreign policy objectives by strengthening bilateral defense relations, supporting coalition building, and enhancing interoperability between US forces and the militaries of allies and friends - such as India.

Prior to September 11, 2001, under the 1998 sanctions regime, the United States and India seemed constantly at odds over defense issues. However, President Bush waived constraints involving India in September 2001 and as a result there have been a number of breakthroughs on defense sales that have put the United States and India well on the way to a stable, long-term defense supply relationship. Here are some examples.

• The Bush Administration worked with the U.S. Congress to amend the law requiring congressional notification of all applications for export to India of items on the U.S. munitions list. Since October 24, 2002, only those Major Defense Equipment (MDE) items above $14 million now require congressional notification. This change puts India in a category with American Treaty Allies such as South Korea and Japan.
  
• India is leasing two U.S. fire-finding/weapon locating radars, in addition to those already contracted for purchase. The first two production radars will arrive over the next few weeks.
  
• The first spares for the first shipment Sea King helicopters were delivered to India's shipping agent in the United States on January 30, 2003.
  
• Representatives from the Indian Army and the United States Army are now in discussions on the Indian Army's request for Special Forces equipment.
  
• In looking ahead, the Government of India has expressed interest in reconnaissance and transport helicopters as well as target drones for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. Later this month, a U.S. Navy team will visit India to discuss the possible sale of U.S. Navy P3C maritime patrol aircraft to India.
  
• U.S. Foreign Military Sales to India have jumped from near zero following the removal of sanctions in September 2001 to over $200 million today.
  

As I formally open this important the U.S. pavilion, all of you will have a chance to see the impressive displays that the United States Department of Defense has brought to this important exhibition. And of course, I hope you will visit the five aircraft on display.
I am very proud of our participation here and believe it will serve as a foundation to continue to increase the growing cooperation between the United States and India.