US-India defence cooperation to be enhanced

Washington, June 4 (ANI): India and United States have agreed that there is scope for enhancing defence cooperation between the two countries.

In a joint statement issued after the first US-India Strategic Dialogue here, Secretary Hillary Clinton and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna expressed satisfaction with the strengthening of defense cooperation in recent years and stressed that security dialogues, service-level exchanges, and trade and technology transfer and collaboration on mutually determined terms were an intrinsic part of the strategic partnership and should be further strengthened.

The statement further said that both welcomed the regular engagement of Armed Forces of both countries, including through conduct of joint military exercises.

They recognized the scope for enhancement of defense trade between both countries to the mutual benefit of both sides.

Both countries pledged to continue to work together on areas of mutual interest including maritime security, counter-piracy, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and response. (ANI)