Chikago: India is hopeful U.S. regulators will reinstate its top-tier aviation safety rating this year following a downgrade that placed restrictions on its fast-growing airlines, the country's new ambassador to the U.S. said Friday.
Ambassador S. Jaishankar also said work is continuing on a new security agreement that could allow Indian companies to co-produce military equipment with U.S. partners. The U.S. last year overtook Russia as India's largest source of arms imports by value.
The Federal Aviation Administration last month ((JAN)) downgraded India's aviation-safety ranking, citing inadequate oversight by local regulators. Though other countries have taken several years to regain the coveted Category 1 status, Mr. Jaishankar said India's return could be swifter.
"I'd hope so," he said when asked if the FAA could upgrade India from its new Category 2 status this year. Speaking after an event in Chicago, Mr. Jaishankar acknowledged it was difficult to determine the timescale as discussions continued between regulators from the two countries. The FAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
28/02/14 Doug Cameron/Dow Jones/NASDAQ
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Ambassador S. Jaishankar also said work is continuing on a new security agreement that could allow Indian companies to co-produce military equipment with U.S. partners. The U.S. last year overtook Russia as India's largest source of arms imports by value.
The Federal Aviation Administration last month ((JAN)) downgraded India's aviation-safety ranking, citing inadequate oversight by local regulators. Though other countries have taken several years to regain the coveted Category 1 status, Mr. Jaishankar said India's return could be swifter.
"I'd hope so," he said when asked if the FAA could upgrade India from its new Category 2 status this year. Speaking after an event in Chicago, Mr. Jaishankar acknowledged it was difficult to determine the timescale as discussions continued between regulators from the two countries. The FAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
28/02/14 Doug Cameron/Dow Jones/NASDAQ
