Defence Minister A K Antony on Tuesday met his US counterpart Robert Gates to discuss ways to deepen the bilateral security cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Antony, currently on a four-day visit to United States, was accorded a ceremonial welcome before he began his first official programme with talks with Gates at the Pentagon.

During the meeting, Antony accompanied by a delegation comprising the Defence Secretary and the Director General of Procurement is expected to exchange views on not only the status of the bilateral defence and security cooperation but also the next steps that are being envisioned.

It is learnt that Antony and Gates would also be discussing global and regional issues, including the recent developments in the sub-continent.

"As a senior political leader, he is bound to discuss the overall relationship," an unnamed official said.
 
The Defence Minister is the first political functionary from India to come to the United States after the historic decision of the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group to grant a waiver to New Delhi [Images] for nuclear commerce.

He is in Washington at a time when the Bush administration is feverishly working on putting together the package to be submitted to Congress for early approval of the civilian nuclear initiative.

Senior officials have taken the position that the Indian minister's visit should not be seen in terms of a 'procurement' visit, but there is every expectation that this is an issue that will merit attention at least at the delegation-level meetings.

The issue of procurement has taken on a different and additional context against the backdrop of the waiver on nuclear trade to India given by the NSG.

It is believed that when the American Congress approves the civilian nuclear deal pushing US-India relations several notches higher, top American defence manufacturers will be competing in a very keen fashion for their wares and technology in the years to come.

"I would hope that the minister would find in the visit a confirmation that our defence and security relationship is here to stay -- both in the externalities of India's reach into the world as well as in the more narrow sense of a rising trend of defence procurement and interaction between our armed services," Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence James Clad told PTI.

Prior to the start of their formal talks at the Pentagon, the US Defence Secretary hosted the 'Full Honours Arrival Ceremony' for Antony.

After his wide-ranging discussions with Gates and the high-power US delegation, Antony will be going to the Arlington National Cemetery.

The Defence Minister, who arrived in Washington on Sunday, had his internal briefings with senior officials of the Indian Mission led by Ambassador Ronen Sen on Monday. He also interacted with members of the Indian American community on Monday night.

Antony will be meeting Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice [Images] on Wednesday at the State Department and will also have a session at the White House with the President's National Security Adviser, Stephen Hadley.