US defence secretary arrives in Delhi on Tuesday

Washington: US defence secretary, Robert Gates, arrives in India on Tuesday on a trip that will see him discuss defence acquisition related matters as well as regional security issues with the country's top leaders. He is expected to meet prime minister Manmohan Singh, external affairs minister SM Krishna and defence minister AK Antony in the course of his three day stay.

Robert Gates with Indian premier Manmohan Singh in Washington, 23 November 2009

"Our objective is to reinforce the importance we place on our bilateral relationship with India as an emerging global power," US defence department spokesperson, Major Maureen Schmuann, said.

"We will discuss ways to deepen the current relationship and look for new areas of trade and cooperation. We will also discuss regional security issues," Schumann said.

Secretary Gates last visited India two years ago, though he did have a one-on-one with prime minister Manmohan Singh in the course of the latter's state visit to Washington in November last.

Secretary Gates arrives in New Delhi after stopovers in Kabul and Islamabad.