Just in: US Defence Secretary to meet Ajit Doval on March 24, says Pentagon.

India and the US will discuss a wide range of bilateral security issues and defence ties during National Security Adviser Ajit Dovals visit to the country. US Defence Secretary James Mattis will meet Doval on March 24, Pentagon Spokesman Capt Jeff Davis told reporters during an off-camera news conference.

They are likely to discuss a wide range of bilateral security issues and those related to the defence relationship. Clearly India is a very strong security partner and a force in the region. We continue to have very good relationship with India in the region, Davis said in response to a question.

The Mattis-Doval meeting later this week would be one of the highest-level meetings between the two countries after the Trump Administration came to power on January 20. Doval is also expected to meet his American counterpart Lt Gen H R McMaster at the White House, the first between the two national security advisors.