US lawmakers call for enhanced defence partnership with India

WASHINGTON: Top US lawmakers have called for strengthening of defence ties with India as Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar arrives here to hold talks with US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter today at the Pentagon.

"There are many opportunities for America and India to grow their strategic partnership," Congressman Ami Bera, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans said after he and other lawmakers met a visiting delegation of members of the Indian defence industry.

"Today, we discussed how we can advance the US-India defence relationship and build on the partnership that has been created between the countries administrations," Bera said.

The meeting was organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to discuss how the US and India can work together to grow and innovate in the aerospace and defence industries.

Congressman George Holding, another Co-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus and Ed Royce, Chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee were also present during the meeting.

"I look forward to continuing this discussion when I travel with a Congressional delegation to India next year," Bera said.

Carter hosted an informal dinner at the Pentagon last night for Parrikar who is on his maiden visit to the US as the Defence Minister.

The two leaders will have formal discussions at the Pentagon today and Parrikar would be provided with an enhanced honour cordon by Carter.

The two leaders are scheduled to address a joint news conference after that. Parrikar would be addressing the Pentagon correspondents for the first time.