New Delhi: India and US have decided to "further deepen" their military-strategic ties, especially in areas like joint combat exercises, defence trade, maritime security and information exchange. The positive outcome was reflected in a joint statement by both the sides soon after concluding the two-day annual Defence Policy Group (DPG) meeting.

The meet was co-chaired by defence secretary, Pradeep Kumar, and US deputy secretary of defence, William J Lynn, on Friday.

"The world's two largest democracies working together on defence sends a powerful signal," said Lynn.

However, a measure of frustration may have seeped through on the American side, at the stonewalling of all attempts by India to sign two defence related agreements with the US which would enhance and facilitate US defence interaction and trade.

The two agreements that the US has been pushing India to sign up for long are the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) and the Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum Agreement (CISMOA).

Lynn pointed out that both agreements have been discussed over several years and there has been ''pretty full exchange on their elements and benefits but action remained to be taken by the Indian government in bringing them on to the signing table.

US officials once again informed their Indian counterparts about the need to ink the CISMOA as it would give an impetus to defence sales. They also pointed out that the LSA would enable them undertake more joint exercises, while cutting down on red tape.

Though the CISMOA is likely to be signed, India has certain apprehensions as to how the LSA would be perceived domestically, as it could give an impression that US forces have free run of Indian military bases without any corresponding and tangible benefits for the Indian Armed Forces.

Modelled on the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreements the US has in place with a number of countries, the LSA envisages Indian and American militaries providing logistic support, refuelling and berthing facilities for each other's warships and aircraft on a barter, or an equal-value, exchange basis.

Through CISMOA, US wants to enhance the `interoperability' of the Indian and American forces, as also ensure secrecy of its C4ISR (command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) systems.