Air India has struck a deal with Boeing to purchase 200 aircraft. The purchase is expected to support more than a million jobs across 44 states and strengthen U.S.–India relations, according to President Joe Biden.
Biden said many of the jobs created will not require a four-year college degree. He expressed pride in the deal, which he said reflects the strength of the U.S.–India economic partnership.
“Together with Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi, I look forward to deepening our partnership even further as we continue to confront shared global challenges—creating a more secure and prosperous future for all of our citizens,” the President said.
Air India Also Partners With Airbus
The deal with Boeing is part of a bigger deal for Air India, which ordered 250 aircraft from European aerospace corporation Airbus as well.‘Lifting Two Nations’ Dreams Together’
Ravi Batra, chair of the U.S. National Advisory Council on South Asian Affairs, told The Epoch Times in a phone interview the deal by Air India and Boeing will lift “two nations’ dreams together.”“As an American of Indian ancestry, I recall as a little boy in the early 1960s accompanying my parents on the inaugural flight of Boeing 707,” said Batra, also an advisor to the U.S House Foreign Affairs Committee since 2007.
“I’m proud of Boeing and proud of Air India flying higher together: Americans and Indians are indivisible in their freedom-loving hearts,” he said.
Committed to Working Together
Biden spoke with Modi over the phone on Tuesday to discuss the historic agreement. They also talked about the strategic technology partnership between the two countries.Eyes on India as It Meets Its Growth Needs
International business law expert Jonathan Bench told The Epoch Times the deal signals that meeting its growth needs is the Indian government’s primary concern.“Clearly the Indian government’s number one priority is continuing to provide comprehensive infrastructure to support its explosive growth in the coming decade,” said Bench.
The current deal has obvious geo-political ramifications. Bench said Asia watchers will continue to study how closely India aligns with the United States, Russia, and China on several fronts.
“From a geo-political standpoint, India cannot really afford to do without any of these countries in the near-term. It is not yet clear how much India will be willing to distance itself from Russian energy and weapons and Chinese manufacturing,” said Bench.