Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar given enhanced honour cordon at Pentagon
An enhanced honour cordon mean when national anthems are played while greeting at the Pentagon stairs.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday arrived in Washington for talks on defence and national security issues with his American counterpart Ashton Carter, who welcomed him with an enhanced honour cordon at the Pentagon. Parrikar is on his second trip to the US in less than a year.
The enhanced honour is reserved for valued guests and visitors. During normal honour cordon, visitors are greeted at the Pentagon stairs and welcomed with handshakes, before proceeding inside the building. During the enhanced honour cordon, national anthems are played.
After the ceremonial welcome, Parrikar laid wreath at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, following which the two leaders headed for talks. This is the sixth meeting between them and first after the US designated India a major defence partner status in June. Carter had met Parrikar during a visit to India in April.
One of the key takeaways from this visit would be the signing of the 'Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement' (LEMOA). The agreement was announced during the visit of Carter to India in April this year. The move will allow both countries to use each other's bases as well as assets for replenishment of supplies and refuelling.
However, it will not allow stationing of troops in each other's bases. Parrikar is also likely to push for the Predator UAVs.