India, US strike agreement to open up defence ties

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Foreign Minister S M Krishna on Monday at the end of which, the two countries unveiled a new strategic dialogue.

Both the countries came to an agreement, which opens up billions of dollars in defence sales to India. The end-user pact basically involves American monitoring of their military sales to ensure they are being used for the right purpose.

Sophisticated planes, radars, and other crucial military hardware will now be available to India. India also announced the two sites for American nuclear reactors.

"We have been told that sites for two nuclear parks earmarked for us," said Hillary.

Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting with Hillary, Krishna said that the talks covered bilateral ties, adding that India and the US regard each other as world powers.

He said that new forum for meaningful dialogue has been created, which would cover climate change, disarmament and non-proliferation.

Talking to mediapersons, Hillary Clinton said that the US was committed to strong partnership with India.

She said that the US has agreed on five pillars in the joint statement.

Hillary also said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been invited to Washington on November 24. Singh would be the first official guest to be invited to the US by the Obama Administration.

The US Secretary of State further said that there is no difference between India and the US over Iran issue.

Hillary and Krishna, earlier on Monday, signed an agreement on science and technology.