US Defence Secretary Robert Gates to visit India

United Stated Defence Secretary Robert Gates will visit India during which the situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan and regional security issues will dominate the agenda of his talks with the Indian leadership.

The January 19-21 tour of Gates will be the first high-level visit from the Barack Obama administration after the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Washington in November last year. Gates is scheduled to meet Dr Singh and Defence Minister A K Antony, besides top defence and military officials. He will arrive in New Delhi after a quick trip to Kabul and Islamabad. Gates had met the prime minister in Washington during his state visit to the United States in November.

During the meeting, Gates appreciated India's contribution in the development of Afghanistan. He had informed the prime minister that the US is committed to its long term presence in Afghanistan. The two leaders also discussed the bilateral defence and strategic relationship between the two countries. They also discussed counter-terrorism methods and stepping up cooperation against the menace.

During his trip to Islamabad, Gates is likely to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Inter Services Intelligence chief Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha.

While Pakistan wants increased military support to pursue its war against terrorism, the US wants Islamabad to expand their war against the extremists in South Waziristan to North Waziristan, where the Afghan Taliban are located.