China,defence deals on agenda as Manmohan meets Gates

In a visit that is increasingly being looked from the prism of Obamas recently concluded trip to China,New Delhi will hope to get an understanding from the US side on its new approach towards Beijing. Its learnt that the American military establishment has been making discomforting noises about Chinas growing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region that sits oddly with accommodative gestures from White House.

Gates has been pushing for stronger defence cooperation with India. An important part of Gatess brief was to push for more US military sales to India,particularly on multi-role combat aircraft deal,but India was looking to get a sense from him on how Pentagon views Chinas rise and its military assertiveness.

According to information with India,the Indian Ocean came up for specific mention from China as an area of concern during Obamas visit along with Taiwan and Tibet. Sources said this had implications for New Delhi because India along with the US and countries like Japan and Australia had been working out defence agreements to ensure dominance over Indian Ocean.

However,there is evidence of China investing heavily in its naval capabilities. While the earlier regime in Japan was quite open about its concerns on this front,the new government there has been making more accommodating gestures. This change has again made it difficult for Washington to exert its influence on Beijings long-term plans.

In fact,in his speech to the Council of Foreign Relations on Monday,Singh said: Maritime security,including countering piracy and protecting sea-lanes of communication in the Indian Ocean and beyond,is another area where we should expand cooperation.