US Secretary of Defence calls on PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met the US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter.

The Prime Minister mentioned that the two Summit meetings between him and the US President Barack Obama over the past year have provided new energy and momentum to the bilateral relations.

He expressed satisfaction at the implementation of the decisions taken during these Summit meetings. He expressed hope that the US companies, including those in the defence manufacturing sector, would actively participate in the `Make in India` initiative and set up manufacturing units in India with transfer of technology and link to the global supply chain.

Carter conveyed that India was an important strategic partner for the US. The US policy of rebalance in Asia Pacific complimented India`s Act East Policy.

The US authorities were committed to the expeditious implementation of the decisions reached between the leaders of the two countries. In this context, the US was encouraging the US companies to set up manufacturing units in India with transfer of technology.Both sides also exchanged views on regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan, and the recent developments in the Indian Ocean and the Asia Pacific region.