Date:15/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/15/stories/2007121556411400.htm

National

U.S. Defence Secretary coming

Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI: U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates will visit India early next year, said a senior U.S. official. The dates of his visit were not fixed.

Mr. Gates would be seeking to draw India into a closer relationship with the U.S. military as well as armament companies. “The visit is an indication of the strengthening relationship between the two countries,” said the official.

His visit is being preceded by that of several senior officials to persuade India to sign the Access and Cross Servicing Agreement which allows the two militaries to source supplies from each other and settle the account later. The U.S. is also keen that India joins the Proliferation Security Initiative.,