(a) whether the Government have decided to hold fresh talks with the present Administration of United States on Defence co-operation;
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
(c) whether the present Government of United States of America has also shown their interest on Defence co-operation with India; and
(d) if so, the outcome thereof?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)
(a) to (d): The dialogue between the Ministry of Defence of India and that of the USA has been institutionalised by the Indo-US Defence Policy Group (DPG) Chaired at the level of Defence Secretary. However, no meeting of the Defence Policy Group has been held since the nuclear test in May, 1998. The DPG held its last meeting in October, 1996. While the sanctions imposed by U.S.A. on India have been partially lifted, the same by and large, remain in force. However, limited Service-to-Service cooperation at the lower level has been resumed as have contacts at the Ministry level.