US to boost India defence ties

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US to boost India defence ties

 

 

 

Sanctions were imposed after nuclear tests

 

General Henry Shelton, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff,

has said that the US will revive a joint military planning body with

India.

General Shelton, who is visiting Delhi, said the decision to revive

the body was a substantive leap in military ties between the two

countries.

 

 

 

General Shelton: Highest level visit since 1998

 

The military planning body, which allows both countries to share

information on counter-terrorism, common strategy, intelligence and

military co-operation, had become inactive over the past few years.

 

General Shelton's trip is being followed by a visit from Christina

Rocca, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia.

 

Ms Rocca arrives in India on Sunday and then goes on to Nepal and

Pakistan.

 

It will be her first trip to the region since her appointment.

 

She told journalists in Washington that the US considered the recent

summit between India and Pakistan in Agra a success "because the

meeting took place".

 

She added that "although there wasn't a joint statement, the fact is

that three days is not a very long time to overcome 50 years of

differences".

 

She also rejected suggestions that improving US ties with India was

at the expense of Pakistan.

 

Sanctions review

 

On Thursday, General Shelton told journalists he was "delighted" to

see a dialogue between the two countries.

 

The summit in Agra ended without a joint declaration because of

differences over the disputed territory of Kashmir.

 

 

 

Three days is not a very long time to overcome 50 years of differences

 

Christina Rocca,

US Assistant Secretary of State

The trip by General Shelton is the highest-level US military visit

since India carried out nuclear tests in 1998, prompting a reduction

in military-to-military contacts.

 

General Shelton has indicated during his trip that sanctions against

India - imposed after the tests - are being reviewed.

 

Ties between Delhi and Washington have been growing closer, and India

recently indicated its support for President George W Bush's

controversial missile defence plans.

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