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US okays sale of military spares to India

Within a fortnight of assuming office, the Bush administration has given a go-ahead for the sale of American spares for the Indian navy's Seaking helicopters.

This is the first defence related sale to India by the US after the sanctions were imposed on India after the Pokhran nuclear tests.

The British firm manufacturing the Seaking helicopters was prevented from exporting the American spare parts because of the US sanctions against India. Both the British firm and the Indian government has been pressing the US administration to ease the arms export control act to allow the import of spare parts.

The presidential proclamation easing the Arms Export Control Act was listed in the federal register (equivalent of gazette notification) Friday, India's ambassador to US Naresh Chandra told a press briefing in Washington.

The Bush administration time and again expressed its opposition to the use of sanctions for conducting American foreign policy. During his confirmation hearing, Secretary of State Colin Powell had dwelt on the futility of sanctions.

The State Department has commenced a total review of the sanctions the United states has imposed on several countries barring Iraq and Libya.

Sources said the decision to release spares for Seaking helicopters could be part of the review.

Most of the US sanctions barring the one on defence cooperation and ban on export of dual use technology items were lifted by President Clinton before his visit to India last March.

UNI

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