US and India tie up for a strog military pact

The controversial Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) and expansion of US military sales to India are expected to figure prominently during the two-day visit of Defence Secretary Robert Gates from Tuesday.During the security dialogue, the two sides will review their strategic cooperation in various fields and explore ways to enhance the ties, the sources said.Gates will hold talks with Defence Minister A K Antony on bilateral cooperation and regional issues of mutual interest considering growing threat from terrorism emanating from India's neighbourhood.To be accompanied by a 50-member military-cum-business delegation, Gates is also likely to call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and meet External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and National Security Adviser M K Narayanan.The two sides are expected to discuss the progress on signing of LSA, under which the two countries will provide their bases, fuel and other kinds of logistic support to each other's fighters and warships.The agreement has been under negotiation for over a year, with India insisting that it be renamed.The pact is pending before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for clearance.The Left parties have opposed this agreement, arguing that it will make India a party to America's ''wrong'' designs.The US has, however, sought to allay fears, insisting that it would ''not bind'' India but benefit its military by improving its ''operational ability''.US Ambassador David Mulford recently said Indian military will need such type of cooperation and change as its capabilities grow.During Gates' visit, the two sides are also expected to discuss the Container Security Initiative , which India is ready to sign.The two countries will review broad cooperation in defence field and discuss ways to enhance it.Mulford said the defence relations between the two countries had witnessed ''enormous growth'' over the last few years, marked by exchange of visits and joint exercises.The US is looking forward to having cooperation on joint production of C-130J transport planes besides eyeing the contract for 126 multi-role fighter planes.