India on Wednesday emphasized that the priority for the country is to move beyond the buyer-seller transactions in the defense trade with the US. Following a delegation level talks with the visiting US Secretary of Defense Mr. Leon Panetta in New Delhi, the Defense Minister Mr. A.K. Antony said that New Delhi seeks to focus on transfer of technologies and partnerships to build indigenous capabilities. Mr. Panetta assured the Indian side that the US Government will initiate measures to facilitate technology access and sharing.

They also exchanged views on the security situation in South Asia, West Asia and the Asia-Pacific and on various global security challenges, including in the area of cyber security.

With regard to the security concerns the Asia-Pacific, Mr. Antony conveyed that India supports unhindered freedom of navigation in international waters for all. At the same time, with regard to bilateral issues between countries, he stressed that it is desirable that the parties concerned themselves should settle contentious matters in accordance with the international law. Mr. Antony emphasized the need to strengthen the multilateral security architecture in the Asia-Pacific and to move at a pace comfortable to all countries concerned.

During the delegation level talks which lasted about an hour, both sides took note of the ongoing bilateral cooperation between India and the US in the area of defense. They agreed that there were opportunities for enhancing bilateral ties in area of mutual interest and concern.

Mr. Panetta was accompanied by a ten member delegation, including the US Ambassador to India and other senior officers from the US Department of Defense. The Indian delegation included the Defense Secretary Mr. Shashikant Sharma, Secretary (Defence Production) Mr. Shekhar Agarwal and the Scientific Advisor to the Defense Minister, Dr. VK Saraswat.

Earlier on his arrival at South Block, Mr. Panetta was accorded a traditional tri-Service Guard of Honour and laid wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. Mr. Antony will be hosting a dinner for Mr. Panetta later this evening.

AIR Correspondent reports that Mr. Panetta is on a two day visit to India. On Tuesday, he met the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the National Security Advisor Mr. Shiv Shankar Menon.