India all set to procure Predator drone from US after MTCR membership

New Delhi: India is all set to become a member of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) as all hurdles related to its membership have been cleared.

After this announcement, India and the US are likely to quicken their discussion on the sale of Predator drones for the Indian military.

The CIA prefers using the Predator series of unmanned aircraft in a number of operations. The drone recently eliminated the Taliban leader in Afghanistan.

Member countries of MTCR "have agreed that India should be a member," a senior administration official said on Tuesday, adding that all the hurdles in this regard were cleared.

"There was a silent procedure that ended just, which passed successfully indicating that there is consensus for India to join the MTCR," the senior administration official said requesting anonymity.

"There are still technical procedures that may still be in play. But politically the decision has been made," the official said within a few hours after the Obama-Modi meeting at the White House.

The meeting lasted for more than two hours including a working lunch.

"India has applied for membership to MTCR," Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said.

India becoming a member of MTCR is expected to pave the way for increased defence trade and technology transfer between India and the US. India has shown a keen interest in purchasing armed drones from the US.

However, the US has not made a decision in this regard so far, the senior administration official said.

"MTCR did prevent us from certain forms of cooperation. It would help India to continue to advance its non-proliferation leadership in the world," the US official said.

(With PTI inputs)