India and the United States on Thursday signed a bilateral General Security and Military Information Agreement to pave the way for greater technology cooperation between the two countries. This was stated by US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld after talks with Defence Minister George Fernandes at the Pentagon.

Rumsfeld said that he discussed with Fernandes issues relating to lowering of tension prevailing between India and Pakistan and hoped that it will be reduced. The US Defence Secretary said that good progress has been made in security relations between the two countries.


Replying to questions, Fernandes said that he had held intensive discussions on defence and security cooperation between the two countries and denied that there was any pressure from Washington on Israel for sale of Phalcon air-borne warning systems to India.
Fernandes arrived in Washington on Wednesday night on a five-day visit to the US and is scheduled to meet vice-president Dick Cheney and other top American leaders.

Bureau Report