Brushing aside the notion that the Indo-US civil nuclear deal smoothens the way for American defence sales, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said the military deals are being discussed through "another channel" which will continue as well.

"No" replied Rice when asked by reporters if the civil nuclear agreement with India smoothens the way for defence deals.

Rice, who left for India last night, said that the civil nuclear deal removes a barrier for New Delhi for its "full integration" on a whole range of technologies.

"But more importantly, I think it is symbolic of a relationship with India that's now at a very, very different level. And at that different level, one would expect that economic relations, defence relations, a whole range of relationships, including business relationships, will flourish. But they'll flourish on their own terms," she said.

The top Bush administration official said the framework for the US-India relations is significantly different than it was when President George W Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh entered into the historic agreement in 2005.

"... remember, the (Indian) Defence Minister (A K Antony) was just in Washington a little while ago. He will continue to have those discussions with (Defence Secretary) Bob Gates. Obviously, the State Department is party to them because we do the political-military side. But those are broad discussions that are going on between the defence ministries,"

Rice said on her way to India when asked if she was going to engage New Delhi in any defence related issues. The top Bush Administration official said "we are actually in discussions with the Indians about military sales. That's in another channel and it'll continue as well."