Trump approves $2B sale of drones to India ahead of meeting

June 24, 2017

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures during a session on International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russia, June 2, 2017. REUTERS/Mikhail Metzel/TASS/Host Photo Agency/Pool

WASHINGTON — India has won approval from the Trump administration for the purchase of nearly two dozen unarmed surveillance drones.

The deal is estimated to be worth about $2 billion. The offer is still subject to congressional approval.

The request received the green light ahead of a face-to-face meeting of President Donald Trump and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Indian’s prime minister is set to visit the White House on Monday.

Modi plans a two-day trip to Washington beginning Sunday. His visit comes amid uncertainty over the U.S.-India relationship because of differences on trade and other issues.

Trump has focused on outreach to China, India’s strategic rival, as he looks to Beijing to rein in North Korea. But Washington and New Delhi share concerns about China’s rise as a military power.

– The Washington Post