New Delhi
February 26, 2008
(Press Information Bureau)

The US Secretary of Defence, Dr. Robert Gates arrived in New Delhi this afternoon on a two day visit to India. Dr. Gates is making his first visit to India since assuming office on 18th December, 2006. Secretary Gates’ visit takes place in the last of the eight year Bush Presidency that witnessed unprecedented acceleration in India-US engagement and qualitative transformation in the relationship, in particular in Defence.

India and US have a strong framework of defence cooperation established by the 2005 Defence Framework Agreement and a comprehensive institutional framework of exchanges.

Secretary Gates’ visit will give a further impetus to the ongoing defence cooperation between our two countries. During his stay, Secretary Gates will be meeting the External Affairs Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, the Defence Minister Mr. AK Antony, the National Security Advisor Mr.  MK Narayanan and the leader of the Opposition Mr. L K Advani. His visit to India reaffirms the importance of the Indo-US relations and the strong political support in the US for our strategic partnership. India also reiterates its interest in looking forward to broad-based defence ties with the USA.