Gates to discuss security issues with Indian officials

WASHINGTON: US Defence Secretary Robert Gates is expected to discuss 'shared security interests' of India and the United States in the region with Indian officials during his visit to the country next week.

Arms' sale is also likely to figure during his talks with Indian officials.

"The Secretary is always an advocate for US defence companies. He believes that these nations are going to arm themselves, going to fortify themselves, and it's best that they do so with us, if possible," Defence Department Spokesman Geoff Morrell said.

"And so, I would expect that to be a topic of conversation. But I do not trust that it will be the focus of our efforts there. The focus will be, sort of, our shared security interests in the region and around the world," he added.

When asked whether Gates is prepared to offer any other technological support to India for sale of command-and-control aircraft or radar, missile defense system, anything in particular beyond the airplane issue, he said he is not in a position to explain it now.

"I'm not familiar at this point with what exactly the entire agenda will be with the Indians when we sit down with them, so I'm not in a position to chat with you about that right now," Morrell said.

Gates will embark on a nine-day tour this morning that will take him to Australia, Hawaii, India, Indonesia and Turkey.