India, US likely to Sign Defence Agreement During Obama's Visit

New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) India and US could sign a 10-year defence framework agreement during visit of President Barack Obama later this month, Defence Manohar Parrikar said Monday.

Parrikar told Karan Thapar in an interview telecast on Headlines Today news channel that a decision on the framework agreement will be taken by the Prime Minister's Office.

"This (the signing of defence framework agreement) is one of the possibilities. These are issues which are on the horizon," he said.

Obama will visit India later this month to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.

Parrikar said that strengthening of ties with US and enhancing scope of existing framework will be beneficial to the country.

He said technology transfer initiatives can be one of the important areas of the new framework.

Parrikar noted that focus would not necessarily be on procurement and joint development of technology was possible in some areas.

"There are already trade initiatives which can be expanded," he said.

Asked about joint military exercises, Parrikar said these were being held and could be enhanced.

India and US had signed a new framework agreement in 2005 leading to defence cooperation through security dialogue, service-level exchanges, defence exercises and defence trade and technology collaboration.