NEW DELHI – Ahead of the crucial two-plus-two dialogue in Washington, theNarendra Modi government is expected to approve a $2-billion deal for thepurchase of anti-submarine warfare helicopters for the Indian Navy from theUS through the government to government (G2G) route, according to SouthBlock officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Bilateral negotiations on the Communications, Compatibility and SecurityAgreement (COMCASA) have moved forward and the military communicationagreement could be initialed later this year after basic Indian concernshave been addressed by the Pentagon, these officials added.

The foreign and defence ministers of India will meet their US counterpartsin Washington on July 6.

South Block officials said the Defence Acquisition Council is scheduled tomeet on June 30 to give a final approval to the purchase of US SikorskyS-70B multi-role helicopters.

While the navy needs at least 100 such multi-role helicopters, thegovernment has decided to go for the outright purchase of 24 anti-submarinewarfare helicopters from US.

There is also the possibility of India placing a follow-up order for 12more Boeing P 8I maritime surveillance aircraft at a later stage for theIndian Navy in a bid to boost its reconnaissance capabilities on high seas,the officials added.

Although preparations for the two plus two dialogue have begun in theearnest in Delhi, the COMCASA agreement will have to wait for later thisyear after the Indian side conveyed some concerns on the foundationalagreement related to military operations. While both sides have broadlyagreed to the text of the key foundational agreement, visiting seniorPentagon official Joseph Felter was briefed about India’s concerns and theway forward. The meetings on COMCASA took place on June 19-20.

Senior government officials did not rule out the possibility of US DefenceSecretary James Mattis visiting India later this year to sign the COMCASAagreement.