"US Greenlights $4 Billion Drone Sale to India, Strengthening Consequential Partnership"
The US has approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B Drones and associated military equipment to India worth $3.99 billion, overcoming token resistance from some lawmakers who wanted New Delhi to investigate the alleged plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The sale aims to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and improve India's security capabilities, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region. The drones will enhance India's unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols, adding muscle to its long-range surveillance and precision strike capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region and its land frontiers with China and Pakistan.