NEW DELHI, Feb 13 (NNN-KUNA) — As many as 35 countries will participate in the sixth edition of India’s biennial defence exhibition DefExpo 2010, beginning February 15 in the capital, New Delhi.

Being described as the ‘largest ever’ held in the last decade worldwide, the exhibition is also set to host official delegations from 41 countries.

India’s Defence Minister A.K. Antony is scheduled to inaugurate the event, said media reports.

The US is set to field the largest representation in DefExpo, followed by Israel.

Among the countries to attend the exhibition are Bulgaria, Hungary, Nigeria, Senegal, Surinam, Turkey, Uganda and the UK who are to send their Defence Ministers. Several others, including Israel and Italy, are to be represented by their deputy ministers.

Besides, there will be delegations headed by some countries’ Defence Secretaries, Chiefs of Army and Navy.

India has not invited its neighbours Pakistan and China for DefExpo this time.

Defence Production Secretary R.K. Singh reportedly said: “We have not sent invitations to Pakistan and China for the DefExpo 2010. In fact, they also do not invite us for such events they organise. Last year, we had invited China to the AeroIndia 2009 show in Bangalore, but it did not participate.” — NNN-KUNA

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