WASHINGTON: US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter arrives in India on Tuesday to sign a 10-year defence framework agreed during President Barack Obama’s visit to New Delhi in January.

During his two-day stay in India, Mr Carter will first visit the Eastern Naval Command in Vishakapatnam and inspect the Shivalik class stealth multi-role frigate, INS Sahyadri.

He will then fly to New Delhi for talks with top Indian leaders on proposals for joint development of defence technology.

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Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will lead the Indian side in these talks. Secretary Carter will have a separate meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.

“The 2015 US-India Defence Framework I will sign next week will open up this relationship on everything, from maritime security to aircraft carrier and jet engine technology cooperation,” Mr Carter told delegates at a meeting in Singapore last week.

Indian officials are expected to emphasise the need for joint development of defence systems in their talks with the US team.

The Indian media reported that the new 10-year defence framework agreement to be signed during the visit will contain a specific reference to the Defence Technology & Trade Initiative that seeks to co-develop defence systems.

India is also looking for US cooperation in the development of a new basic trainer for the Indian Air Force.

The Indian Defence Ministry is exploring the possibility of jointly developing a new aircraft on the lines of the Hawker Beechcraft T 6 Texan II trainer.

Another proposal on their agenda is the joint development of an advanced missile defence system.

The Indian media reported that the two countries shared a common concern on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the region.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2015

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