The United States wants to expand its military cooperation with India with more exchanges and exercises, according to a report by Indo-Asian News Service on Friday quoting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Xinhua reported.
The U.S. official made the statement Wednesday ahead of Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony's visit to Washington next week, said the report.
"We are looking to expand this relationship in ways that are mutually beneficial," Gates was quoted as saying. "But I think we' ll also be looking at ways in which we can expand our exchanges, exercises, and strengthen-further strengthen the relationship that we have."
Gates also indicated that he would talk with Antony about a 9 billion U.S. dollar deal for the purchase of 126 multi-role combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force through an open competition, according to the report.
Two American fighter planes, F-16IN and F-A-18IN, a version of the Super Hornet, are among six aircraft on offer. The Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale and Mikoyan MiG-35 are the other competitors in the bidding, said the report.
Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen also told the media that "just the military-to-military relationship with India is exceptionally strong and growing", said the report.
"The Indian Ocean, we also know, is an incredibly important body of water; not just now, but also in the future. So we recognize the importance of keeping that relationship as strong as it is, and also making it grow," Mullen was quoted as saying.