Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the media after he arrived within the Parliament on the primary day of its price range session in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan.31, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday permitted a virtually $4 billion sale of drones and army gear to India that should be used to enhance its maritime security and surveillance.

The approval comes at a time when Washington is courting New Delhi to extend its cooperation with the U.S. Indo-Pacific technique, which is basically targeted on countering China’s affect within the area.

The State Department notified Congress of the $3.99 billion sale that may embrace 31 Sky Guardian drones, 170 Hellfire missiles, 310 small-diameter bombs and associated assist materials.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defense partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region,” the division mentioned in an announcement.

It “will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in sea lanes of operation,” it mentioned, including that India “has demonstrated a commitment to modernizing its military and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”