US Defense Firms Seek More Clarity On ‘Make In India’ Program

US firms will stress on implementing suggestions on offsets, technology transfer and engineering software as eligible offsets ahead of the Indian defense minister’s visit to the nation.

The group comprising US aviation and defense firms will be urging the ministry to throw more light on the much promoted ‘Make in India’ programme so as to enable active participation in the programme to meet India’s defence needs, Indian Express news daily reported Sunday.

Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar is slated to visit the US on December 10. The delegation is meeting the secretary defense production on Monday. It will be stressing on immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Dhirendra Singh Committee on the defense procurement policy (DPP) to the ministry.

Issues to be pressed include flexibility towards defining offset obligations, issues pertaining to transfer of technology and consideration of engineering software as eligible service in offsets.

Defence ministry sources confirmed the meeting and added that the points will be conveyed to Parrikar ahead of his US visit and will be incorporated in the discussions.

Speaking earlier on Saturday, Parrikar said his effort is to bring out a “perfect” DPP which will ensure that a deal is closed within three years as against the present day average of five years.