Recently I discussed the slump the US has experienced in weapons exportation since the recession has begun. Hilary Clinton met with leaders from India on Monday in an attempt to secure a valuable weapons agreement with the huge emerging market of India.
It is my opinion that it is an excellent idea to provide weapons for India and to be on amicable terms with the nation. Overall, it is a very stable nation which has never shown any aggression towards the United States. Furthermore, it is an emerging economic powerhouse which means it would greatly benefit the US to maintain a strong relationship for trade and security purposes. Prosperous nations offer two things to the United States – trade agreements which allow the US to prosper and military alliances which ensure that the US is safe and protected. It is wise to export to India now because we are making money while developing key relationships.
The US also plans to sell high end, potentially dangerous weapons to India, but not without a system of checks and balances. With the weapons will come “end use monitoring” to ensure that the weapons are not abused.
Most of all this deal would benefit Boeing and Lockheed Martin who would be brought into a 12 billion dollar deal which would involve providing India with 126 fighter jets.
A US spokesperson commented, “We’re very hopeful that India will make the announcement on Monday.”
From my perspective, this is an excellent use of trade and strategic alliances by the United States.
