“Due diligence should be ensured while appointing channel partners/agents overseas and a fair transparent process observed. India already has an export booklet in place that lists the systems on offer to friendly nations. These range from small arms and communication systems to artillery, missiles and various types of ammunition.The ministry is also giving more autonomy to PSUs in presenting commercial offers and quotes to foreign customers. While in the past, commercial offers were sent after getting official inputs by the ministry— a time consuming process that added another layer of bureaucracy — new guidelines authorise PSUs to deal directly with foreign customers. The only exception would be government-to-government requests that would still be processed by the South Block.

Source: Economic Times May 28, 2019 03:00 UTC