In a secret letter, US president Barack Obama has made a defence sales pitch to prime minister Mamnohan Singh. The letter (reproduced below) says that "the United States is a willing capable and reliable defense partner to India. High technology defense sales are increasingly a cornerstone of our strategic partnership. We have broken new ground with the advanced systems we are offering India with these aircrafts including the operationally proven US Active Electronically Scanned Array AESA radar technology.”

THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington

February 4, 2011

His Excellency Dr Manmohan Singh

Prime Minister of the Republic of India
New Delhi

Dear Mr Prime Minister

On behalf of the American people, it was my sincere pleasure to experience such a warm welcome from the people of India during my visit last November. Both Michelle and I would like to thank you again for the hospitality show by you, Gursharan and the people of India I viewed the warm public reception as a clear reflection of our nations' strong sense of shared values and kindred democratic beliefs that underpin and drive our strategic partnership.

In the spirit of this friendship I want to underscore the strategic importance the United States attaches to the selection of a US proposal in India's Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft MMRCA competition.

The United States Government is offering India two of the most advanced multi mission combat aircraft in the world-the Boeing F/A 18IN and the Lockheed Martin F 16IN. These aircraft have a demonstrated qualitative military advantage over any current fourth generation plus aircraft, without the associated developmental or technical risks and both aircraft have an unmatched track record for reliability, resulting in lower operating and maintenance costs. The US proposals will dramatically enhance India's own aerospace industrial base and defense capabilities.

Additionally you can be confident in the probity and transparency of doing business with American companies.

Let me reassure you that the United States is a willing capable and reliable defense partner to India. High technology defense sales are increasingly a cornerstone of our strategic partnership. We have broken new ground with the advanced systems we are offering India with these aircrafts including the operationally proven US Active Electronically Scanned Array AESA radar technology. This type of technology is only provided to our closest allies and partners. Equipped with this technology, we are confident both of these aircraft will exceed the expectations of the Indian Air Force. We are committed to continuing to offer India superior technology, including efforts to jointly develop the finest cutting edge technologies. I view the MMRCA acquisition as a key step along this path.

During my visit in November 2010 we committed to expand our relationship in new and ambitious areas giving our people’s vision of strategic partnership that promises decades of close collaboration in the pursuit of the shared goals of prosperity and security. Through our recent initiatives the United States has demonstrated its commitment to India's rise and its global leadership role. The selection of a US proposal for the MMRCA tender will strengthen our partnership launch our defense cooperation on an ambitious and rewarding trajectory and provide strategic continuity to our growing relationship.

I am grateful for our friendship and I respectfully ask that your Government will give its full consideration to the commercial technical and strategic merits of the US proposals.

Sincerely

Barack Obama

President of USA