After the French scored some pretty solid brownies last week by declaring that they were putting on hold the supply of heavy military items to Pakistan, German chancellor Angela Merkel lands in Delhi tomorrow to lobby for the Eurofighter Typhoon, one of two finalists in India's $12-billion M-MRCA fighter competition. Last week, French defence minister Gérard Longuet (who was here to lobby for the other finalist, the Dassault Rafale) sniped the Typhoon's multi-nation heritage, saying, "We are one country, and we have enjoyed a relationship since 1953. Dealing with one country you know well, I imagine, is better than dealing with four countries. It is just simpler." Merkel arrives amidst reports that the commercial bids of the two contenders will be opened as early as next week. More tomorrow.
