India and the US discussed ways to deepen their defence ties along with key issues such as Afghanistan, where New Delhi has ruled out any troop contribution, and terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her US counterpart James Mattis held comprehensive talks covering the entire gamut of the bilateral defence partnership.
"The situation in our neighbourhood and the growing menace of cross-border terrorism were discussed in depth.
There is growing convergence in the approaches of both our countries on this issue," Sitharaman said at a joint press conference.
She said both sides recognise the importance of holding those who use terrorism as an instrument of state policy to account and to dismantle the infrastructure that supports terrorism.
"We have made it clear that there shall not be boots from India on the ground (Afghan)," Sitharaman said while responding to a query on whether India will contribute troops in Afghanistan.
Sitharaman also said that Mattis has assured her that he will raise with Pakistan the issue of terrorism emanating from there.
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis held talks with Indian leaders on Tuesday, vowing to jointly stamp out militant sanctuaries and seeking India's greater involvement in helping to stabilise Afghanistan.
The comments come as President Donald Trump's administration has stepped up pressure on Pakistan for more action against militant groups operating from its soil that are blamed for attacks in India and neighbouring Afghanistan.
Islamabad denies giving material support to the militants and instead accuses its arch-rival of trying to use Afghanistan as a base for anti-Pakistan activities.
But Mattis, the Trump administration's first cabinet official to visit India, said the two countries would work together to fight terrorism.
"There can be no tolerance of terrorist safe havens," he said in a statement. "As global leaders, India and the United States resolve to work together to eradicate this scourge."
Washington welcomed Indian efforts to promote stability in Afghanistan, he added. New Delhi has committed $3 billion in development projects in Afghanistan and trains Afghan officers in India.
But it has not sent soldiers in the international effort to restore peace. "Our engagement in Afghanistan will continue, we shall expand our engagement," Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, following talks with Mattis.
Defence ties between India and the United States have expanded rapidly, with New Delhi buying U.S. weapons worth $15 billion over the last decade, moving away from traditional supplier Russia.
Military experts say U.S. weapons transfers aim at bolstering Indian capabilities to develop a counterweight against China's growing assertiveness in recent years.
Indian and U.S. negotiators are now trying to move forward with a deal to supply the Indian navy with 22 Sea Guardian drone aircraft, whose June approval by the U.S. government was the first such clearance to a non-NATO ally.
India wants the unarmed drones to help its navy lengthen the duration of its surveillance in the Indian Ocean, where Chinese naval ships and submarines make regular forays.
Expanding naval cooperation with India was a top priority, Mattis said, adding that three-way exercises involving the United States, India and Japan boosted operational cooperation.
With inputs from PTI and Reuters
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