US Defence Secy meets PM

United States Defence Secretary Robert Gates met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday amidst a desire by the US to step up military cooperation and see that India and Pakistan join hands to combat terrorism. India is reluctant on signing this and is weighing all pros and cons before going ahead. The US is also pushing India to sign the Communication Inter-operability and Security Memorandum of Agreement, which will provide for sharing of information by enabling an easier interface between their militaries.

The two sides are also in talks to supply of several military equipment including C-17 transport aircraft, artillery guns and US companies are bidding for Indian defence contracts for $ 9 billion 126 multi role combat aircraft, described as mother of all deals.

Gates, who arrived on on a two-day visit, will hold substantive talks with Defence Minister A K Antony during which he is expected to push the reluctant India to sign a bilateral Logistics Support Agreement and a communication sharing pact. Arriving in New Delhi ahead of his visit to Pakistan, he met the PM and External Affairs Minister S M Krishna during which the situation in the region came up for discussion.

Gates is understood to have provided his assessment of the challenge posed by terrorism emanating from Pakistan-Afghanistan region and sought the views of the Indian leadership on the issue, official sources said.

Ahead of his visit in New Delhi, Gates said stability in the region was essential for India, Pakistan along with rest of the world and that he wanted the two countries to pay greater attention to the terror threat. He said it was worth appreciating that India and Pakistan had shown restraint in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks despite suspicions.

Gates is also likely to meet Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik and Naval Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma during his visit to the defence ministry headquarters on Jan 20.

- Asian Tribune -