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India, US revive LCA project; ink military information exchange accord

T V Parasuram in Washington

In a major impetus to Indo-US defence cooperation, the two countries on Thursday signed an agreement on general security and military information exchange as Defence Minister George Fernandes began his six-day visit to America.

The US also agreed to revive the project for manufacturing Light Combat Aircraft in India.

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told a press conference in Washington after talks with visiting Defence Minister George Fernandes that the agreement would pave the way for greater technology cooperation between the two countries.

He said India and US had made 'good progress' in their security relationship.

Fernandes, who was also present at the press conference, said in reply to a question that India was looking forward to procuring such items as 'we need to procure from here'.

Declining to go into the details, Fernandes said it has been decided to revive the LCA project launched about two decades ago.

India, he said, needed engines for the LCA and 'we are again working together' on this project.

"India has had security relationship with the US for several years, but it had come to a standstill in between, but these ties have been revived," Fernandes said.

He said discussion with US delegations had been 'fruitful' and 'we expect to continue these meetings in time to come'.

"We believe we are on a forward movement in so far as strengthening and dealing with challenges we are facing in our respective areas," he said.

The defence minister also said that there was no substance in reports that the US was putting pressure on Israel for a temporary freeze on arms sale, including sale of three Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control System.

Fernandes also indicated that India's standoff with Pakistan 'would be on the way to resolution sooner or later' as the US said the high military build-up on Indo-Pak borders was not in the interests of the two countries.

Fernandes began his tour, aimed at carrying forward India's diplomatic offensive against terrorism sponsored by Pakistan and boosting Indo-US military co-operation, with intensive discussions with National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and Rumsfeld in quick succession.

Fernandes' talks with Rumsfeld covered Indo-US security ties, Indo-Pak tensions and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's address to the nation last week outlining measures to combat terrorism.

Rumsfeld said that the heightened military build-up by both India and Pakistan was in the interest of the neither.

"I do not believe it is in either of their interest to stay for a long period in a state of high mobilisation. The tension is unhelpful to them and unhelpful to the world," he said.

Rumsfeld said, "US was hopeful that Indian and Pakistani leaders would continue on a path they seem to be on to attempt to find ways to either directly or indirectly discuss these matters."

Rumsfeld said US thought about terrorism in India in the same term as Washington wanted New Delhi to think about terrorism in the US.

He said that both the countries experienced terrorism first hand and have a common interest in defeating the menace.

Referring to the Indo-Pak tensions, Rumsfeld pointed to Musharraf's address to the nation last week in which he outlined certain steps against terrorism and said the speech was forthcoming.

"The next step is action and I am personally persuaded that Musharraf is moving to take action to follow up on the speech he made. We are hopeful that the steps announced in the speech will go a long way in lowering of tension in the region," he said.

The defence secretary said that US President George W Bush has been in touch with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Musharraf.

Replying to a question about Indian military build-up, Fernandes said the December 13 attack on Indian Parliament and the decision of the Pakistan army to stay put in the areas where they had conducted exercises had forced India to take some 'strong' steps.

"The attack on Parliament was not merely an attack on a structure but an attempt to eliminate the entire political leadership of the country," Fernandes said.

"But luck or providence saved us and the country," he added.

He also said, "We decided to immediately safeguard our frontiers and prepare for any eventuality."

The defence minister also invited Donald Rumsfeld to visit India at the earliest.

Fernandes told reporters after talks with Rumsfeld that the US Defence Secretary's previous visit to New Delhi about a month ago had been very brief and he needed to be there for a longer period.

"I have formally invited him to visit India at the earliest," he said, adding the dates had been left to Rumsfeld to work out.

Fernandes said Rumsfeld's earlier visit to India was part of a six-nation tour in three days, but they had very serious interaction on issues.

"So today, I extended a formal invitation to him to visit India at the earliest possible date and I left the decision about dates to Secretary Rumsfeld," he added.

Rumsfeld recalled that he met Fernandes some time back in New Delhi. He thanked Fernandes for the very strong support that India has provided for the war on terrorism since September 11.

Rumsfeld said he began his contacts with India in February, less than a month after he moved into the Pentagon.

Since then there have been a series of meetings at all levels, including defence ministers', foreign ministers' and other levels.

Rumsfeld said that in the coming months, the two countries will have a series of meetings against counter-terrorism and conduct joint military exercises.

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