The United States has put its step forth in helping India in preparing a military aid package to deepen security ties and reduce the country’s dependence on Russian weapons, people familiar with the matter said. 

Bloomberg reported that the package under consideration would include foreign military financing of as much as $500 million dollars, which would make India one of the largest recipients of such aid behind Israel and Egypt.

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However, it is unclear when the deal would be announced, or what weapons would be included.

The effort is part of a much larger initiative by President Joe Biden’s administration to court India as a long-term security partner, despite its reluctance to criticise Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

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It is reported that Washington wants to be seen as a reliable partner for India across the board, and the administration is working with other nations including France to make sure Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has the equipment it needs.

According to an official that Bloomberg reported, the major challenge remains how to provide India with major platforms like fighter jets, naval ships and battle tanks. The financing package being discussed would do little to make those types of systems more affordable.

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It is reported that India is the world’s largest buyer of Russian weapons, although it has scaled back that relationship of late. 

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India has bought more than $4 billion worth of military equipment from the US and more than $25 billion from Russia over the past few years.

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India’s dependence on Russia for weapons against neighbours China and Pakistan is a big reason why PM Modi’s government has avoided criticising Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.

While the US and its allies were initially frustrated with India, they have sought to woo New Delhi as a key security partner. Modi is set to join a summit with Biden next week in South Korea that also includes Quad members Japan and Australia, and the Indian leader also received an invitation to join the Group of Seven leaders in Germany next month.

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Links between the US and India have steadily deepened over the past two decades, with the two sides reaching agreements that allow for more interoperability between their military platforms.