India and the US tonight agreed to enter into an end-use monitoring agreement that will pave the way for greater defence cooperation. New Delhi also conveyed its decision to locate two nuclear parks for American companies.
After a hectic day of meetings with prime minister Manmohan Singh and external affairs minister SM Krishna, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton announced that the two countries have agreed to enter into a strategic dialogue based on five pillars of cooperation.
Also, on November 24, the prime minister will make a state visit to Washington, DC, his first after Barack Obama took over as president in January this year.
"We share a common trait by rolling up our sleeves and getting things done," Clinton told a joint press conference. "We have shown progress also by finalising important agreements today, including the end-user agreement that will pave the way for greater defence cooperation between our countries and technology safeguards agreement."
In his remarks, Krishna said the two countries have agreed on the end-use monitoring arrangements that will henceforth be referred to in the letters of acceptance in procurement of defence equipment and technologies.
