During the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US from June 21 to 24, India successfully finalized a significant government-to-government deal with the United States. The agreement involves the procurement of 31 Predator drones, amounting to a value exceeding USD 4 billion.
In this episode, host Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy” Abhishek Bhalla, discuss why this is a big deal and what are its implications for the respective countries involved.
Abhishek Bhalla emphasizes the magnitude of this acquisition by comparing it to the procurement of a fighter jet deal. The purchase of advanced drones carries immense strategic importance for both nations.
The conversation delves into the underlying strategic interests associated with the deal. Abhishek emphasized that these agreements extend beyond the current leadership of Presidents Biden and Modi; they lay the groundwork for future political administrations as well. Similar precedent was established through a template set with Russia in previous years.
The duo expands on the potential of such a deal, discussing how the enhanced surveillance capabilities offered by the drones could revolutionize warfare. Abhishek offers the intriguing possibility of conducting surgical strikes without risking the lives of soldiers, thanks to the extended reach of surveillance these drones provide.
The discussion also explores the curiosity surrounding the greater insistence of the United States on finalizing this deal, despite India's expressed interest. It is intriguing to ponder why the US attaches more urgency to the agreement.
Listen in!
Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh
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