Article Posted on : - Mar 05, 2011

WASHINGTON (PTI): The two-day Indo-US Defence Policy Group (DPG) meeting has concluded here during which officials of the two countries discussed regional security, issues of mutual concerns and maritime security.

In the senior-most bilateral defence meeting between the two countries, the Indian delegation was led by the Defence Secretary, Pradeep Kumar; while the US side was led by Michele Flournoy, Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Affairs.

"During the meeting, attendees discussed the working group structures that enable defence cooperation between the two countries, regional security issues of mutual concern, and maritime security cooperation," Cmdr Leslie Hull-Ryde, spokesperson, Department of Defence, told PTI.

The DPG meets annually and last met in November 2009.

As outlined in the 2005 New Framework for the US-India Defense Relationship, the DPG serves as the primary mechanism to guide the US-India strategic defense relationship Hull-Ryde said.

India US Defence Policy Group meeting at the Pentagon comes ahead of the six-day visit of Army Chief General VK Singh starting Monday.

In the last five years, defence relations have been expanding between the two countries under the New Framework for US-India Defense Relations.

The US undertakes the highest number of joint exercises with India amongst all nations.