India and the US today agreed in principle to conclude a logistics exchange agreement to enable both militaries to use each other's assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies. After delegation-level talks in New Delhi, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and visiting US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter made it clear that the agreement, which will be signed in coming months, does not entail deployment of American troops on Indian soil.<br/><br/>Both sides also agreed to set up a new bilateral Maritime Security Dialogue between officials from their defence and foreign affairs ministries. They also decided to enhance on-going navy-to-navy discussions to cover submarine-related issues.<br/>Addressing media, Manohar Parrikar said defence cooperation is a central pillar of India's multi-faceted relationship with the US and the two countries will continue productive discussions on cooperation in joint working group on aircraft carriers. He said US Defence Secretary's visit reflects Washington's continued interest in expanding bilateral defence relations with India. <br/><br/>Mr Parrikar said that New Delhi's continuing concerns regarding terrorism directed against India was underlined during the talks. He said the US Defence Secretary emphasised eliminating terrorism and ideology and infrastructure that supports it. <br/>US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter said the US-India relationship is destined to be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century and it is becoming a reality. He said, the two nations have agreed on several complex exercises together on the naval front. On the Pathankot terror attack, Mr Carter said the perpetrators of the crime should be brought to justice. <br/>During their meeting, the two leaders reviewed the important steps taken since the signing of the new Framework for the U.S.-India Defense Relationship last June to deepen bilateral defence ties. They also discussed the priorities for the coming year in defence ties, as well as specific steps both sides will take to pursue those priorities. These included expanding collaboration under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative, Make in India efforts, the knowledge partnership in the field of defence and regional and international security matters of mutual interest.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said defence cooperation is a central pillar of India's multi-faceted relationship with the US. He said both the countries have agreed in principle to have a logistics support agreement that will be signed in the coming months. Addressing a Joint Press Statement with visiting US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter in New Delhi today, Mr Parrikar said the two countries will continue productive discussions on cooperation in framework of joint working group on aircraft carriers. <br/><br/>He said US Defence Secretary's visit reflects Washington's continued interest in expanding bilateral defence relations with India. Mr Parrikar said that New Delhi's continuing concerns regarding terrorism directed against India was underlined during the talks. He said the US Defence Secretary emphasised eliminating terrorism and ideology and infrastructure that supports it. <br/><br/>Interacting with the media, US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter said that the US-India relationship is destined to be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century and that is becoming a reality. He said, India and US have agreed on several complex exercises together on the naval front. He said the Logistics Support Agreement will enable both countries to work together logistically. On the Pathankot terror attack, Mr Carter said the perpetrators of the crime should be brought to justice.