Inch closer to finalising $450 mn BrahMos deal

Making a forward movement on the sale of the BrahMos missiles, a high-level defence delegation from Indonesia is scheduled to visit India in the next few weeks for finalising details of the $450 million deal. The delegation from Jakarta will also discuss the making of warships by Indian Shipyards for the Indonesian Navy and the Coast Guard.

Sources said the sale of BrahMos was discussed when Indian delegation led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto today in New Delhi. Subianto, who will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade on tomorrow, is former Defence Minister of his country.

Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), while answering media-questions on the BrahMos deal refused to be drawn into specifics of the defence-related discussions Modi and Subianto have had, but added that both sides see a tremendous potential for future development of defence ties. The President (Subianto) said he would be sending a high-powered delegation from his country in the next few weeks.