Indo-US Defence Policy Group meeting begins in Washington

The two-day Indo-US Defence Policy Group meeting began in Washington on Thursday to discuss the bilateral ties and review the situation in the region in particular in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Defence secretary Pradeep Kumar led the 9-member Indian delegation, while the US side is led by Michele Flournoy, undersecretary of defence for policy affairs.

During the meeting, the two sides would review the defence ties and discuss issues including the situation in the region in particular in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Indian side is likely to raise the issue of procurement of M-777 ULH from the US through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route for the artillery, which has not inducted a new gun for the last 25 years.

Indian side is also likely to discuss the acquisition of 10 C-17 heavylift transport aircraft and Javeline Missiles from the US through the FMS route.

The American side is expected to push the case of its two fighter aircraft in race for Indian Air Force's 126 multi-role combat aircraft deal.

The meeting between two sides comes ahead of six-day visit of Army Chief General VK Singh starting Monday.

In the last five years, defence relations have been expanding between the two countries under the New Framework for US-India Defence Relations.

The US undertakes the highest number of joint exercises with India amongst all nations that includes the navy-to-navy Malabar and SALVEX, army-to-army Yudhabhyas and aerial 'Cope-India' exercises.