Indo-US defence ties better than ever, says Pentagon

Defence ties between India and the United States have made ''tremendous progress'' under the Barak Obama administration, a high Pentagon official told newspersons in Washington on Thursday.

Peter Lavoy, the acting assistant secretary of defence for Asian and Pacific security affairs, said Washington was looking forward to Prime Minister Manomohan Singh's visit on 27 September, when defence ties would be a major issue of discussion with President Obama.

"India is a very good friend of the US. Relations have continued significantly over the last decade. Under the Obama administration we have been making tremendous progress," Lavoy said. "We are very pleased with our relationship with India."

Lavoy had accompanied recently-appointed defense secretary Chuck Hagel on his swing through Southeast Asia. He said Hagel looks forward to his meeting his Indian counterpart A K Antony.

"The defence relationship is strong and we are looking forward to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the United States in which they would discuss a wide range of issues to improve relationships between the two countries," Lavoy said.