U.S. Def Secretary May Visit India In May To Sign Major Deal

NEW DELHI: U.S. Defence Secretary Ashton Carter is likely to visit India next month when the two sides are expected to ink the nearly USD 2.5 billion deal for 22 Apache and 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters.

Though the final dates for Carter's visit have not been announced, defence sources said the visit will take place in May during which the two sides will discuss ways to enhance defence ties, especially in context of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make-in-India' initiative.

The Apache and Chinook helicopters deal is likely to be among the pacts that will be inked during the visit, the sources said.

The deal would be presented before the Cabinet Committee on Security for approval soon, they added.

American defence major Boeing, along with the U.S. government, has extended the validity of the price quoted by them for another three months hoping to wrap up the deal soon.

Indian Defence Ministry had last month sought extension of the validity period on its expiry on March 31.

The U.S. firm had in February this year warned of a price hike if India does not finalise the contract soon.
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