Indian defense minister to visit U.S. next week

Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar will embark on a tour of the U.S. later next week, aimed at bolstering bilateral military ties, sources said Sunday.

"He will leave for the U.S. on December 4 and return on December 12. During his visit, he will meet his U.S. counterpart Ashton Carter and review the defense trade and technology initiative," they said.

The review of the initiative will be a key step forward towards greater collaboration in joint development and manufacture of next generation military technology, the sources said.

The defense minister may also push for faster acquisition of 145 M777 Ultra-Light Howitzers from the U.S. under a government-to-government deal, they said.

"The deal will also see American defense manufacturer BAE Systems investing over 200 million U.S. dollars in India as offset," the sources said. Endit