(Image source from: defencenews.in)

India and the US are expected to sign a deal that makes way for the aviation majors to participate in the contest to manufacture and supply 114 combat jets to the Indian Air Force in Washington at the upcoming 2+2 dialogue on December 19.

The ‘2+2’ is a dialogue format during which strategic and security interests of India and the US will be discussed by the foreign and defence ministers of both the countries.

The Foreign Minister S.Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be meeting their fellow American ministers Mike Pompeo and Mark T. Esper as they visit Washington.

A key Indo-US feels that government-to-government deal to enable ‘Make in India’ and technology sharing is the best way to go ahead with procurement valued at about $20 billion.

Several US companies, including Lockheed Martin Boeing are already working with India partners on defence products and it is expected that the Industrial Security Annex (ISA) will be signed by both the countries which enables transfer of technology by a US firm to its Indian partners in the private sector.

The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) which is the second of the three defence parts, was signed by both the countries at Delhi last year which enabled India to access to advanced US defence systems.

The Union Cabinet is expected to approve the ISA soon for both sides to formally sign the agreement on industrial security, also known as the Industrial Security Annex (ISA) in the 2+2 talks.

By Shrithika Kushangi