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AIA Kicks Off India Trade Mission
Monday December 4, 12:51 pm ET

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- About 30 representatives of AIA member companies arrived in Delhi, India and began six days of meetings and outreach Monday in the association's first-ever trade mission to the country.
 
AIA Executive Vice President of Defense and International Affairs Mark Esper is heading the delegation, which includes stops in Delhi and Bangalore.

"We are excited about this opportunity to strengthen our partnerships with both the Indian government and the country's aerospace industry," Esper said.

The mission comes as more U.S. aerospace companies are looking to India as a possible market for both defense and civil aviation products.

The trip includes meetings with Indian commerce and defense officials. Participants will also meet with U.S. State Department and Commerce Department representatives and the American Chamber of Commerce in India. Esper said the U.S. companies on the mission are investigating doing business directly with the Indian government as well as possible joint projects with Indian companies.

The majority of participants are AIA Supplier Management Council members who do not have independent international outreach. Varun Nikore, AIA's Supplier Management director, said the trip could open many doors for participants.

"India provides a huge potential market for U.S. aerospace suppliers," said Nikore, who played a lead role in organizing the mission.

India has been opening to U.S. aerospace products in the last decade after relations improved following the end of the Cold War and cooperation on the war on terror. The two nations signed a defense pact last year, and the trade mission comes as Congress works out the legislation needed to support a major Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement that will strengthen the bonds and cooperation between India and the U.S. on a number of issues. Indian airlines bought 98 Boeing airliners last year and is considering buying U.S.-built fighter jets.

AIA is partnering with Tri Polus, a London-based international trade consulting firm, and the Confederation of Indian Industry on the mission.

Founded in 1919, the Aerospace Industries Association represents the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, space systems, aircraft engines, materiel, and related components, equipment services, and information technology.

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Source: Aerospace Industries Association