World Tribune.com

India think tank urges switch to U.S. missile umbrella

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Wednesday, August 15, 2001

NEW DEHLI Ñ India has been urged to ditch Moscow and join a U.S.-sponsored missile defense umbrella.

The recommendation comes in a new report by a leading Indian strategic institute. The institute urges India to launch efforts to obtain missile defense cooperation with Washington.

Last month, India and Russia were discussing New Dehli's purchase of Russian systems to create a missile defense umbrella. The shield would be based on a network of advanced S-300 anti-aircraft systems, which are being touted by Moscow as being also effective against ballistic missiles.

In June, Indian Defense Minister Jaswant Singh held talks with Russian defense leaders in Moscow. During the visit, Russia offered to establish an air defense and missile shield for India.

But the Security and Political Risk Analysis said Washington has superior technology and a joint project would be vital in protecting key Indian cities from either a Chinese or Pakistani missile attack. The report raises the prospect of an alliance between Beijing and Moscow.

The report offered three options for the government in New Dehli. One is for India to join a U.S.-sponsored missile defense umbrella. Another is to create a missile defense alliance with China and Russia. A third is for India to develop its own system.

"From an Indian perspective, an optimal course of action at this point would be to conditionally support the United States in its NMD [national missile defense] efforts while keeping a close watch on technical developments in the field," the report said.

The Bush administration plans to work with Congress in September in an effort to lift U.S. sanctions from India. The move will help improve military cooperation.

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