US Defence Secretary Robert Gates will visit India from tomorrow, with deliberations on regional security situation top on his agenda during a tour that will reinforce the importance the Obama Administration places on the bilateral ties.
During the January 19-21 tour, Mr. Gates will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Defence Minister A K Antony.
“Our objective is to reinforce the importance we place on our bilateral relationship with India as an emerging global power,” Defence Department spokesperson Major Maureen Schmuann told PTI on Monday.
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“We will discuss ways to deepen the current and look for new areas of trade and cooperation. We will also discuss regional security issues,” Mr. Schumann said.
This would be the first visit of Gates to India in two years and also the first by a top member of the Obama Administration after the State Visit of the Prime Minister to Washington in November.
Mr. Gates had a special meeting with the Prime Minister during his US trip, during which the two leaders discussed bilateral relationship and regional issues.
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The Defence Secretary would arrive in New Delhi after his quick trip to Kabul and Islamabad.