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US Defence Secretary meets Sushma, seeks partnership with India

by IBNS 07 Aug 2014, 10:56 pm

New Delhi, Aug 8 (IBNS) US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, who met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday as part his three-day trip to India, said the U.S. wants to be a partner in Indias military modernization, and recognises Indias need to strengthen their defence-industrial base.

“Big problems, geopolitical problems cannot, will not ever be solved without partnerships," he tweeted after meeting Swaraj in New Delhi on his arrival here.  
 
"The path to expansion is through a combination of new opportunities and a joint commitment by both #India and the U.S," he posted.

He said security, stability, freedom of sea lanes, economic development and energy are mutual interest of India, the region and U.S.

 Hagel is focused on building a relationship with the new Indian government.

 Hagel's trip came close on the heels of US Secretary of State John Kerry's visit last week ahead of a big time meeting between Modi and President Barack Obama in Washington in Sept. 

"I come about a month before the new Indian Prime Minister will be in the United States and meeting with President Obama. So this is a - I think an opportune time to spend a couple of days here listening, learning, and getting acquainted," he said.