US team may head to India for $4 bn patrol jet deal as leaders rekindle trade talks

US Defense Department and Boeing executives are set to visit India next week to negotiate a $4 billion deal for six P-8I naval patrol aircraft, reviving stalled talks. India, reducing reliance on Russian arms, has increasingly turned to US defense suppliers, signing nearly $20 billion in contracts since 2018. The purchase aims to enhance maritime surveillance and ease US trade tensions.