India Scrambles to Buy Winter Gear From U.S. Amid Row With China
- Gear purchase indicate China standoff will be prolonged
- India uses agreement between militaries to source equipment
An Indian Army convoy makes its way along a highway in Kyelang, some 75 miles from the India China border on Sept. 2.
Photographer: Money Sharma/AFP via Getty ImagesIndia has bought high altitude warfare kits from the U.S. on an urgent basis, officials with the knowledge of the matter said, a sign that the South Asian nation is preparing for an extended winter deployment after talks to ease tensions along its border with China stalled.
The Indian Army used an agreement which allows the two militaries to take logistical assistance from each other such as buying fuel and spare parts for warships and aircraft, for the transaction, the officials said, asking not to be identified given rules for speaking to the media. The the Logistics Exchange Memorandum Agreement signed in August 2016 aims to promote interoperability between the two militaries.