US for strong military ties with India

The controversial Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) and expansion of US military sales to India are expected to figure during the two-day visit of Defence Secretary Robert Gates from Tuesday. During the security dialogue, the two sides will review their strategic cooperation in various fields and explore ways to enhance the ties, the sources said. Gates will hold talks with Defence Minister A K Antony on bilateral cooperation and regional issues of mutual interest considering growing threat from terrorism emanating from India's neighbourhood. To be accompanied by a 50-member military-cum-business delegation, Gates is also likely to call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and meet External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and National Security Adviser M K Narayanan.

The two sides are expected to discuss the progress on signing of LSA, under which the two countries will provide their bases, fuel and other kinds of logistic support to each other's fighters and warships. The agreement has been under negotiation for over a year, with India insisting that it be renamed. The pact is pending before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for clearance. The Left parties have opposed this agreement, arguing that it will make India a party to America's ''wrong'' designs. The US has, however, sought to allay fears, insisting that it would ''not bind'' India but benefit its military by improving its ''operational ability''.

Mulford said the defense relations between the two countries had witnessed ''enormous growth'' over the last few years, marked by exchange of visits and joint exercises. The US is looking forward to having cooperation on joint production of C-130J transport planes besides eyeing the contract for 126 multi-role fighter planes. It looks like Indo-US ties are getting stronger which is a good thing. I hope that India takes a good decision when they sign these pacts to avoid being binded under unnecessary policies. I received this news from NDTV 24x7 through my DirecTV connection.