Goodwill punctuated by optimism towards removing hurdles to consolidate long-term relations marked US Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates’ maiden two-day visit to India in February.

India’s expansive military modernisation programme and the proposed civilian nuclear deal with the US hogged the limelight during US Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates’ maiden two-day visit to India in February. Issuing a reminder to India to accelerate efforts to seal the proposed 123 agreement, Gates pointed out that the clock is ticking in terms of how much time is available to get all the different aspects of this agreement implemented.

Emphasising that the agreement serves the best interests of both countries and that it has positive global consequences, as well, Gates said, The real key is providing time for our Senate to ratify the final arrangements. And with this being an election year, there is an open question about how long the senate will be in session beyond this summer.

The secretary expressed appreciation with India’s move to purchase six C-130J Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin. One of the virtues of the C-130 sale is that it gives us an opportunity to demonstrate not only the quality of our equipment, but the quality of the service and maintenance and follow-on activities that go with these sales. So we’re very encouraged, (but) we’re at the beginning of this process, Gates said. The US, he stressed, is eager to bid for contract for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft for the country’s air force. The deal, estimated at about $10 billion (Rs 40,000 crore), is being touted as the world’s largest single external defence procurement in history. I indicated that we obviously are interested and believe we are very competitive in the selection of the new fighter. India has several billion-dollar deals in the works, and Gates said he would like to see defence trade expand between the two countries. We’re not looking for quick results or big leaps forward, but rather a steady expansion of this relationship that leaves everybody comfortable.