WASHINGTON - Top American and Indian defence officials on Monday discussed the current situation in Afghanistan.
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikarmet at the Pentagon, but details of the discussion on Afghanistan were not immediately available.
“They noted recent high-level official exchanges, including the visit to New Delhi of Gen. John Nicholson for consultations on Afghanistan,” the joint statement said after the sixth meeting between the two in a year.
India and the US also signed the bilateral logistics exchange memorandum of agreement (LEMOA), which Parrikar and Carter hoped would facilitate additional opportunities for practical engagement.
The US agreed to elevate defence, trade and technology-sharing with India to a level commensurate with its closest allies and partners.
Parrikar, accompanied by Carter also laid wreath at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial.
“They agreed on the importance this framework will provide to facilitate innovative and advanced opportunities in defense technology and trade cooperation.
“To this end, the United States has agreed to elevate defense trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with its closest allies and partners,” the joint statement said.(Pajhwok)