Defence deals unlikely during Obama's trip: Antony

India and the United States are unlikely to wrap up any defence deals during the high-profile visit of President Barack Obama early next month, Defence Minister A K Antony indicated on Monday.

"I don't think so," he told reporters on being asked if the defence ministry was expecting any deals to be signed during Obama's visit commencing from November 6.

India and the US are in talks to finalise a deal for 10 C-17 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force, estimated to be worth USD 5.8 billion.

"The talks are in its final stages," Antony said in response to a query on the C-17 deal.

India is also interested in buying 24 Harpoon missiles for its Air Force at an estimated cost of USD 700 million. Apart from these purchases, the two sides are also holding discussions for foundational agreements in areas such as communication interoperability, logistics support and geo-spatial fields.

He said the whole government was coordinating the US president's visit in which the defence ministry was playing a part.

Asked about fidayeen threats during Obama's visit, Antony said though there were possible threat perceptions during high level visits, the government took all measures to counter them.

"Whenever high level visits take place, there is always the possibility of threats. We are putting all measures in place to meet all problems. We are capable of handling it, as we have proved during the Commonwealth Games by conducting it successfully," he said.

To a question, the minister said there were 42 terror training camps which were active in Pakistan and a new element was that women were also being trained as terrorists.

"Some elements are training terrorists against India. Even now, 42 terror camps exist across the border. They are training even ladies," he said.

But, he said, the Indian armed forces were vigilant 24x7 in order to defeat the terrorists.

"They (the armed forces) are ready always. The country is safe in the hands of our armed forces," he said.

Calling the Mumbai terror attacks two years ago as "an eye-opener" for the Indian security establishment, he said the importance of coastal security had dawned on the government only after 26/11.

"For us, the 26/11 incident in Mumbai was an eye-opener. It is now all the more important due to the security situation around India. We have to take more care in strengthening coastal security," he said.

"All the while, we thought the land border is only the real border. Strengthening security along the land borders was our only concern. We thought coastal areas have their own protection, the seas. Gone are those days. We have to be more careful," he added.

That was why the government was giving more attention to coastal security now by strengthening the Coast Guard and the coastal police, he added.

On concerns over growing piracy and terrorism on the high seas, Antony said the defence ministry intended to acquire more aircraft, vessels and manpower to strengthen the Coast Guard.

"We intend to acquire more air assets, vessels and also manpower. We are going to continue this pace. The Coast Guard is now ready to meet any challenge to coastal security," he said.

To a question on Google displaying a map showing Arunachal Pradesh as a part of China, Antony asserted that the state was "very much an integral part" of India.

"As far as Arunachal Pradesh is concerned, our government is very clear about that. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India," he said.