Despite the geographical importance, large population and economic potential of Latin America, India's foreign policy towards this region has remained rather passive until recently.. Will Latin America become a new market for Indian military equipment - the author of the India Today Telegram channel figured it out.
India and Latin America - diplomatic relations
Efforts by successive governments in New Delhi to strengthen ties with Latin America, usually, focused on increasing trade and investment in the region. Interest at the highest level continues to be motivated by the understanding of Latin America as an alternative resource-rich region, which could meet the energy needs of India in the future.
As of 2019 India established a diplomatic presence in 15 Latin American countries; New Delhi has a number of resident missions from the region. AT 2010 In 1999, the then Foreign Minister of India, Shashi Tharoor, planned to open embassies in Ecuador., Uruguay and the Dominican Republic is a proposal, but, remains unrealized.
India's interaction with Latin American countries was largely determined by its role in the Non-Aligned Movement. (NAM), beyond the concept of the "global South", which still has some resonance in Latin America.
However, an invitation to 2020 year of the President of Brazil Jaira Bolsonaru to India as the chief guest for the celebration of the 71st Republic Day in India, it seemed, marked a change in New Delhi's views on the usual sluggish relationship with LA. During this visit, India and Brazil signed entire 15 agreements in such areas, like energy and trade to cybersecurity, and set ambitious goals – 15 billion dollars in bilateral trade 2022 year. An action plan has been developed, which set out a clear roadmap to strengthen bilateral engagement.
According to the latest Indian media reports, India began to explore the possibility of selling various military platforms of its own production in this region after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The internal situation in LA and the demand for weapons
Latin America is in a state of permanent war on narco-terrorism. From Mexico to Peru, drug cartels are, in fact, state within a state. The fight against transnational organized crime and drug trafficking has increased the region's need for modern means of protection for its security forces., making it a potential market for military products. Many countries in the region are modernizing their armed forces, what will enable Indian companies to exploit this market.
To system list, that, probably, will be exported, includes artillery systems, protected vehicles, radio electronic installations, naval battle control systems, military communications C4I solutions, weapon, night vision devices and other related military equipment.
India-Chile: defense cooperation
As expected, This year Indian Naval Delegation will travel to Chile to participate in EXPONAVAL 2020 from 1 by 4 December at a naval base in this country. According to media reports, the commander of the Chilean Navy invited the commander-in-chief of the Indian Navy, Admiral Karambira Singha, as well as one of the Indian warships to take part in activities in Valparaiso during the exhibition.
In accordance with the laws on the supply of any industrial or defense equipment in Chile, international companies are required to register with the Chilean Armed Forces and the Joint Headquarters.
So far, several Indian companies have registered with the Chilean Armed Forces with the help of the Indian Mission in Santiago.. Among them – Brahmos, Azista industries, Reliance Naval Engineering и Goa Shipyard. Registration of other large companies, including New Space India Limited, Neo Power, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Ordnance Factory Board and BEML is in progress.
In March of this year, the Chilean Navy purchased from the Indian shipyard Larsen & Toubro Shipbuilding Ocean Support Vessel Anchor Handling Towing Supply and Standby Vessel (AHTSSV) cost 11,5 million dollars. The acquisition of the ship was carried out through the mechanism of foreign military sales of the US Department of Defense. In the near future, it is planned to complete preliminary work on its delivery in Chennai.
Chilean navy undergoing modernization. And India with its Make in India program (Make in India) could offer Indian shipyards and industry for major projects. Besides, possible cooperation in the field of submarines "Scorpion". The Chilean Navy uses this class of submarines with 2005 years and accumulated considerable experience in operation and maintenance. From an Indian point of view, cooperation could be carried out in the field of education, procedures, documentation, curricula, maintenance and repair, including stock management.
Existing cooperation experience
Indian company MSME MKU, located in the military industrial zone of the state of Uttar Pradesh, is an, perhaps, the only Indian company, operating in this region in recent years. It regularly supplies body armor for the security forces of a number of Latin American countries..
What can India do in Latin America?
Delegations of representatives of the armed forces can visit the countries of the region, and the Indian government – offer specialized training for officers in basic and advanced mountain warfare courses. A cross-exchange of instructors and observers during multinational exercises can be established in the respective training institutions.
Brazil may become the main markets for Indian weapons in Latin America, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Mexico, Salvador, Guatemala, Peru, Honduras and other countries in the region, who are looking for body armor, aircraft protection equipment, naval defenses, helmets, night-vision devices, general ammunition, etc..
In the Latin American market, India will have to face competition not only from the USA and Russia, but also with China, which relatively recently began to develop the arms market in this part of the world. AT 2019 year, Chinese imports were about 3% from all weapons imported to Latin America, however, American observers noted, that China's presence is much more strongly felt in grant programs, through which China provides the countries of LA with military trucks and small ships.
Generally, Sino-Latin American trade increased from 17 billion dollars in 2002 year to almost 306 billion dollars in 2018. China plans to increase this volume to 500 billion dollars to 2025 year.
Given the economic downturn and rising unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the world and the prolonged quarantine in India, Narendra Modi should focus on finding new customers to support the Indian industry and Latin America can be a very promising region in this regard..
Author: India today
