Global Security Newswire

The U.S. Defense Department yesterday rejected a report that it was pursuing sales of missile defense technology to India, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, Jan. 8).

The Financial Timess reported Wednesday that the two nations have been discussing missile shield sales to help protect India from its nuclear-armed neighbors, but officials later denied the assertion.

"The United States and India currently are not discussing the sale of any U.S. missile defense systems to India," said Lt. Col. Stewart Upton.

One U.S. defense official said that U.S.-Indian engagement on missile defense issues was only taking place on "a very rudimentary level."

"We have invited them to observe two tests this year to facilitate discussions of the two countries' ballistic missile defense test programs," said the official. However, permitting the Indian officials to watch the exercises did not indicate a "U.S. intention or willingness to sell the systems involved," the official said (Agence France-Presse/Google News, Jan. 8).