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INDO-US MILITARY ALLIANCE

US Proposes, Delhi Weighs

AMERICA’S DEMANDS

Falling Back on India Asian Drama: The New US Concern What India Could Ask For What Exactly The United States Proposed Port visits and ship repairs Pier and anchorage facilities Airlift of parts and supplies Repair and dry dock facilities Protection to US forces Customs and immigration assistance Dry dock and voyage repair facilities.

EXPECTATIONS FROM INDIA

Acceptable to Indian Government, since is largely safe politically. Except that the protection of US troops, as sought, would increase responsibility,be a potentially sensitive issue and make India an even greater target for anti-US terrorist groups in the long term.

IMPLICATIONS

Port facilities could be provided at Kochi, Visakhapatnam or Andaman and Nicobar Islands. If US were allowed to build its own infrastructure, India could gain an additional port, with dual-use capabilities, at the American Government’s expense.

AMERICA’S DEMANDS

Logistic support for the US navy At locations in Bay of Bengal and North Arabian Sea Replenishment of US ships with fruits and vegetables Naval fuel supply (NATO F-76 and F-44) with T-5 tankers based at Diego Garcia Marine Gas Oil (MGO) in lieu of F-76 Shuttling facility for US Navy (T-AO and AOE)

EXPECTATIONS FROM INDIA

India is comfortable supplying the items demanded for logistics and foodstuff. Its offer of military bases to US is limited to the current US campaign against the Taliban in Afghanistan. But India is clearly wary of long-term military ties.

IMPLICATIONS

Currently only Singapore provides the US these facilities in the region. US dependency on India could increase with Indian supplies and fuel for US ships. This would give the US huge cost savings as compared to its use of the Diego Garcia base.

ASIAN DRAMA: THE NEW US CONCERN

In approaching India for a partner-ship, the US is looking for, broadly speaking, two facilities. First, an alternative partner to unstable sheikhdoms in West Asia and to Pakistan. Second, a shorter sea route to military bases in Japan. The question is: will Vajpayee play ball with Bush?.

WHAT INDIA COULD ASK FOR

Support for a seat in UN Security Council US support against terrorist groups US tilt on the Jammu and Kashmir issue Large US infrastructural investments Flight control software for India’s Light Combat aircraft project Gun locating radars UAV spy planes Surveillance equipment Sophisticated military helicopters Intelligence inputs Training courses in US for Indian officers

MetroScape

Banglore: Pub

Delhi: Furniture Store

Kolkata: Restaurant