India, US discuss defence cooperation

India and the United States today discussed increased defence co-operation in the backdrop of China's military build-up in the northern border and rising Al-Qaeda threat on the western front.

The US Defence Secretary, Dr. Robert Gates called on the Defence Minister, Shri A. K. Antony, in New Delhi

US secretary of defence Robert N Gates met defence minister A K Antony in New Delhi today. Gates was accompanied by senior officials from the US department of defence. Defence secretary Pradeep Kumar and other senior officials of the Indian defence ministry were also present during the meeting.

Both sides exchanged views and perspectives on a number of issues, including the regional security situation and global security challenges.

Antony and Gates both expressed satisfaction about the improvement in bilateral defence relations since the signing of the bilateral cooperation agreement in 2005. Both sides also expressed optimism about the prospects for enhancement of bilateral defence relations in all areas, including military-to-military interactions and in the area of defence trade.

In this context, Antony conveyed to Gates Indian concerns regarding denial of export licences for various defence related requirement of the armed forces and also regarding the inclusion of some Indian defence PSUs and DRDO labs in the 'Entity List' of the US government. Antony expressed the view that such restrictions were anomalous in the context of the steady improvement in the bilateral defence relations between both countries.

Gates, meanwhile, assured that these issues will be solves under comprehensive reform of US export control regulations initiated by President Obama and assured that this would involve facilitation in the supply of defence technology and equipment to India.