India to discuss DTTI with US Defence Secy on his visit: Manohar Parrikar

PANAJI: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said India and the US will discuss the further movement in Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) during the three-day visit of US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter.

Carter will be on a two-day tour of Karwar in neighbouring Karnataka and Goa today and tomorrow before proceeding for New Delhi.

"The DTTI discussions will be held in New Delhi on April 12," Parrikar told reporters last evening here.

Carter will visit Mangueshi Temple and old Goa churches today, while he will be on board INS Vikramaditya, accompanied by Parrikar off Goa coast, tomorrow.

Parrikar said the DTTI talks will be held with the possibility to ensure that Centre's flagship initiative 'Make In India' is made an integral part of it.

"India wants to establish the best of defence cooperation with the US as both the countries are biggest members in this sector globally," the minister said.

Parrikar said India will make efforts to strengthen defence ties with the US.

"There are many important issues to be discussed. India wants to establish best defence cooperation with the US. Many issues of importance will be finalised in the bilateral talks in Delhi," Parrikar said.