Indo-US meet on missile defense held
IANS  | March 4th, 2005 | IANS
 

New Delhi, March 4 (IANS) India and the US agreed to hold joint workshops on missile defense at a two-day meeting that concluded in Hyderabad on Friday.

"The two sides continued discussions on issues related to missile defense and highlighted the security contribution that missile defenses can make," said Navtej Sarna, spokesman of External Affairs Ministry, here Friday.

The Indo-US cooperation in the field of missile defense is set to cement the growing Indo-US defense relations.

The Indo-US defense relations are no longer limited to strategic cooperation and policy reviews, but have come to include joint military manoeuvres and the supply of US military hardware to India.

Last year, after the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government headed by Manmohan Singh took charge in May, the Indo-US Defence Policy Group, the highest policy making body that coordinated defence ties between the two countries - held a meeting to review and expand the Indo-US defence cooperation.

The defense ministry has acknowledged "a dramatic improvement in Indo-US military-to-military relations during the past few years."

India and the US held joint naval exercises three years ago and have also signed a mutual secrecy protection agreement.