On the 13th, it was reported that such negotiations are underway between the U.S. and India, citing related orthodox sources.
As India has expressed its willingness to purchase armed drones from the U.S., attention is being paid to whether the actual contract will be made during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the U.S. The Indian government is at odds with China, including border disputes, so it is seen as a response to the Chinese drone unit.The size of the drone that India wants to purchase from the U.S. is said to range from about $2 billion to $3 billion. After Modi’s visit to the U.S. was confirmed, the U.S. State Department, the Defense Department and the White House mentioned the possibility of trading up to 30 General Atomics’ MQ-9B drones to India, sources said.

They said they could show progress in trading for 30 MQ-9B Sigid drones.
In addition, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi are expected to discuss joint production of armored vehicles and military supplies, sources said. As President Biden is paying special attention to the Indo-Pacific region against China’s expansion of influence, high-tech military technology cooperation between the two countries is expected to increase further. In particular, attention is being paid to whether India, which continues its economic cooperation with Russia amid the prolonged Ukrainian war, will affect India’s future diplomatic relations if the drone purchase process with the U.S. is completed this time.

“It will be a decision that the Indian government has to make,” a senior Biden administration official said. Meanwhile, the U.S. believes that Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the U.S. will serve as an opportunity to solidify what President Biden called a “defining relationship.” U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinkon said at the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) in Washington the previous day that Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the U.S., which begins on the 22nd, will be “historic.” Blinkon said the U.S. and India are making “transformational investments” to strengthen key facilities being pursued by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi, stressing that this will help the two economies become more productive and attractive to investors.

JULIE KIM

US ASIA JOURNAL

To this end, a warehouse capable of storing 2,000 tons of grain will be built in each unit area of the agricultural cooperative sector.
The government will also launch a committee composed of ministers and vice ministers from related departments to efficiently implement the plan. The committee is chaired by Amit Shah, Minister of Housing and Cooperation of the Central Government, and will be joined by departments related to agriculture, food, public allocation, and food processing.

Thakur called the plan the “world’s largest food storage program” and explained that increasing grain storage facilities as planned would reduce crop damage caused by shortages and allow farmers to sell grains at better prices.
He added that farmers in the past had no choice but to be satisfied with low prices as they rushed to sell harvested grains due to the often volatile climate.
Indian farmers hold a protest in the city of Amritsar, Punjab province, in the northwestern part of the country, demanding irrigation water from the state government on May 29, 2023.

He also expected that the plan would enhance India’s food security capabilities, reduce its dependence on imports and create employment opportunities in rural areas.In addition, it said that there will be a “win-win effect” on agricultural cooperatives, farmers and consumers, especially farmers, who can not only store their products in warehouses but also receive up to 70% of loans from cooperatives.There are currently about 65,000 agricultural cooperatives in India. India produces about 310 million tons of edible grains every year, but current warehouse facilities can only store up to 47% of the crop, according to media.Thakur said transportation costs caused by a shortage of grain storage facilities could also be greatly reduced, adding that warehouse facilities could also serve as grain procurement centers and grain processing facilities.

KS CHOI

US ASIA JOURNAL