Ambitious India now world's largest arms importer

In its race to join the club of international powers, India has reached another milestone - it's now the world's largest weapons importer.

A Swedish think-tank that monitors global arms sales said Monday that India's weapons imports had overtaken China's, as the South Asian nation pushes ahead with plans to modernise its military, counter Beijing's influence and gain international clout.

"India has ambitions to become first a continental and (then) a regional power," said Rahul Bedi, a South Asia analyst with London-based Jane's Defence Weekly. "To become a big boy, you need to project your power."

Image: In this January 21, 2011 file photo, Indian Naval officers walk past the Italian-built Fleet Tanker "INS Deepak", during an inauguration function to join the Indian Navy fleet in Mumbai, India. INS Deepak is one of the largest ships of the navy, capable of carrying 16,500 tons of cargo and can also ensure refueling for to up to three ships at sea simultaneously.

Text and Images: AP