NEW DELHI, March 6: India and the United States will discuss ways to bolster their defence ties during a trip next week by India's army chief to the US , an army spokesman said on Saturday.

General Nirmal Chandra Vij is expected to meet the vice- chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace, and US Army Chief Gen Peter Schoomaker, during his visit March 11-12, a defence ministry official said.

Gen Vij's visit is of special significance in light of the Indian Army's expansion drive for its special forces, the defence official said.

New Delhi is keen to get observer status with the US Central Command, which oversees US operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Gulf and Central Asia, he said.-AFP