INDIA has signed five deals to buy more than $US7 billion ($A7.64 billion) in hardware and expertise from Russia, including an aircraft carrier, a fleet of MiG-29 fighters, defence and space-technology agreements and at least 12 civilian nuclear reactors.
But on the minds of both parties, analysts said, was a nation not present at Friday's signing. ''China will be the ghost in the room,'' wrote analyst C. Raja Mohan in the Indian Express.
Having a working aircraft carrier should allow India to expand its regional presence in the Indian Ocean.
China doesn't have an aircraft carrier, although US intelligence reports suggest it could within five years. But it is heavily outspending India on defence.
No comments:
Post a Comment