US Def Sec Gates discusses fighter jet deal with Indian counterpart
(27 Feb 2008) SHOTLIST 1. Wide of soldiers' memorial 2. Wide of US Defence Secretary Robert Gates placing wreath at memorial 3. Pan from memorial to Gates 4. Close-up of Gates 5. Wide of US officers taking salute 6. Wide of Gates signing visitors' book 7. Mid of soldiers with eternal flame in foreground 8. Wide of Gates walking with Indian Defence Minister A. K. Antony 9. Cutaway of media 10. Mid of Gates and Antony 11. Wide of Gates inspecting guard of honour 12. Mid of Gates and Antony walking in for meeting 13. Cutaway of cameramen 14. Gates and Antony posing for cameras; zoom in to hand shake 15. Wide of Gates and Antony seated 16. Pan from Antony to Gates 17. Wide exterior of Indian Defence Ministry STORYLINE US Defence Secretary Robert Gates held talks with Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony in New Delhi on Wednesday. On the table are prospects for New Delhi's plan for a 10 (b) billion US dollar fighter jet purchase - which features bids from major US defence contractors Boeing Corp. and Lockheed Martin. India has already agreed to buy six of Lockheed's C-130J Hercules airlift aircraft, for roughly 1 (b) billion US dollars. India's quest to modernise its military against a backdrop of China's burgeoning defence growth and an ongoing regional terror threat are key focuses of Gates' visit to India. Gates paid homage at a soldiers' memorial and was given a ceremonial guard of honour. His visit coincided with the announcement on Tuesday that India had tested a nuclear-capable missile, fired from an underwater platform in the Bay of Bengal. It was unclear if the test was successful. Gates said he was not concerned about the missile test announced by Indian officials on the same day he was holding talks with the prime minister and other leaders. Instead, he said he was impressed by how much the relationship between the US and Indian military has grown in recent years, and said the United States was interested in further expanding that relationship. India is building a nuclear-powered submarine expected to start sea trials next year. It would be able to launch ballistic missiles, which would give India second strike capabilities if its land- or air-based weapons were disabled. Gates' visit comes during a somewhat volatile time in the region. Talks have stalled on a landmark nuclear cooperation pact between India and the United States, and New Delhi continues to eye nervously the ongoing unrest and security threats in neighbouring Pakistan. While neither subject was a major topic on the agenda for Gates' sessions with Indian officials, they are unquestionably linked with efforts to broaden India's military cooperation with the US. The nuclear deal would allow the US to send nuclear fuel and technology to India. The agreement would reverse decades of US anti-proliferation policy with a country that has tested nuclear weapons and refused to sign nonproliferation treaties. Officials are also likely to seek out India's perception of the level of stability in Pakistan, where embattled President Pervez Musharraf's party was upended in recent elections, triggering questions about his future in office. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
