Article Posted on : - Jan 19, 2010

A file photo of US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.

WASHINGTON (PTI): US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said that there has been a remarkable advancement of defence relationship between India and the United States in the last few years.

"There have been remarkable advances made just in the last few years," Gates told reporters on board flying with him on his trip to India on Tuesday- his first as the US Defence Secretary in Obama's Administration.

"I see it as a natural follow--on to Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh's visit to Washington last November and the regular exchanges that we have had with the Indian military leadership, both civilian and in uniform," said Gates, who had a separate meeting with Singh during his State Visit to the US in November.

Gates last time went to India as the Defence Secretary in the previous Bush Administration.

The Defence Secretary said during his meeting with the Indian leadership, he would be talking a lot about how the two countries can expand their defence cooperation.

Gates is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister and ministers of Defence and Foreign ministries during his visit.