"At least 38 countries are sending their defense personnel for training in India. We are encouraging them. We are giving them more slots. We are also considering to supply some sort of defense materials through export or through line of credit to the countries so that they can depend on India for their defense," the Economic Times quoted Manohar Parrikar as saying.
The defense minister abstained from disclosing the names of the countries, citing security concerns.
Parrikar underscored that India does not crave domination over any other nation and seeks to increase its strength through cooperation with partners.
A recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) named India as the world's largest importer of weapons in 2010-2014, accounting for almost 15 percent of global purchases. Some 70 percent of India's military equipment is either Russian- or Soviet-made, according to data from Russia's state arms exporter.
However, last fall the Indian government initiated a policy to develop its own defense industry, including through the "Make in India" program, which attracts foreign and private investment to the country.
