US envoy calls on Def Min Parrikar

India and the US on Wednesday discussed issues relating to growing bilateral military cooperation, in what is seen as a follow-up action to US President Barack Obama’s visit.

The issue of Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI), that was firmed up during Obama’s visit, is understood to have been raised during the meeting between American envoy here Richard Verma and defence minister Manohar Parrikar.

Even though defence ministry officials here described it as a “courtesy call” by the envoy, Verma tweeted saying he had “great discussions” on the growing Indo-US defence ties.

The meeting comes ahead of a visit by US under secretary of Defence for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L), Frank Kendall later this month.

This would be his second visit this year. In January, Kendall, Pentagon’s point person on India-related defence issues in particular on the DTTI, along with Indian officials had agreed upon four “pathfinder projects”.

Besides looking to finalise the intricacies of the agreed projects, more proposals would be discussed during his visit which is scheduled to begin on February 23.