India was today designated as a major defence partner of the United States, it is a status unique to India and institutionalizes the progress made to facilitate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level at par with that of the United States' and ensures enduring cooperation in future.<br/><br/>US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter made an official visit to India at the invitation of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today, marking the seventh interaction between the two leaders. A joint statement issued in New Delhi today, both leaders reviewed the progress made in bilateral defence ties and discussed the immense promise for the future of India-U.S. security cooperation. <br/><br/>Both sides exchanged views on regional security issues including the threat posed by terrorism. They agreed to continue further strengthening the bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation and underlined the need to ensure that terror groups receive no patronage from any State.<br/>Mr Carter also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening.

India was today designated as a major defence partner of the United States. The designation is a status unique to India and institutionalizes the progress made to facilitate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level at par with that of the United States' and ensures enduring cooperation in future.<br/><br/>US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter made an official visit to India at the invitation of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today, marking the seventh interaction between the two leaders. A joint statement issued in New Delhi today, both leaders reviewed the progress made in bilateral defence ties and discussed the immense promise for the future of India-U.S. security cooperation. <br/><br/>Both sides exchanged views on regional security issues including the threat posed by terrorism. They agreed to continue further strengthening the bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation and underlined the need to ensure that terror groups receive no patronage from any State.<br/>Mr Carter also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening.