United States Deputy Secretary of Defence Ashton B Carter is expected to be in New Delhi next week to discuss the way forward in expanding bilateral defence cooperation between Washington and New Delhi.
According to media reports, Carter will call on Defence Minister A.K. Antony, and will also hold talks with National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon and Defence Secretary R.K. Mathur.
Carter's visit to the Indian capital is being seen as important from the United States point of view in the wake of reports that India is expected to make defence purchases worth approximately five billion dollars from abroad.
The Indian armed forces are expected to get six more C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, 22 Apache attack helicopters, 145 M-777 ultra-light howitzers and 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters.
The deals are close to finalisation, according to the defence ministry.