US defence secretary Robert Gates to visit India next week

US defence secretary Robert Gates would visit India next week during which the situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan and regional security issues would dominate the agenda of his talks with the Indian leadership.    

The January 19-21 tour of Gates would be the first high-level visit from the Obama Administration after the visit of prime minister Manmohan Singh here in November last year.
    
Gates is scheduled to meet Singh and defence minister AK Antony, besides top Defence and military officials. He would arrive in New Delhi after his quick trip to Kabul and Islamabad.
    
Gates had met the prime minister in Washington during his State Visit to the United States in November.
    
During the meeting, Gates appreciated India's contribution in the development of Afghanistan. He had informed the prime minister that the US is committed to its long term presence in Afghanistan.
    
The two leaders also discussed the bilateral defence and strategic relationship between the two countries. They also discussed counter-terrorism methods and also about stepping up cooperation against the menace.
    
During his trip to Islamabad, Gates is likely to meet president Asif Ali Zardari, prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha.
    
While, Pakistan wants increased military support to pursue its war against terrorism, the US wants Islamabad to expand their war against the extremists in South Waziristan to North Waziristan, where the Afghan Taliban are located.