This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8158489.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Clinton meets top Indian leaders US and India agree defence pact
(about 1 hour later)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other top leaders, as part of her visit to the country. India and the United States have agreed a defence pact which will boost the sale of sophisticated American weaponry to Delhi.
Indian relations with Pakistan are thought to be high on the agenda, along with education and technology. The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, on a visit to India, said the two sides had agreed an "end-use monitoring" accord.
The countries are also expected to sign deals on arms sales and the building of US-funded nuclear plants. This aims to help the US ensure that its military technology is not transferred to other countries.
During their meeting, Mr Singh accepted an invitation from Mrs Clinton to visit the US in November, officials said. Mrs Clinton also held talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Correspondents say the visit aims to show the US is committed to broadening its ties with Delhi. During Monday's meeting, Mr Singh accepted an invitation from Mrs Clinton to visit the US in November, officials said.
The end-use monitoring agreement was announced in a joint news conference between Mrs Clinton and the Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna.
End-use agreements are required under US law for weapons sales.
Indian foreign minister discusses Pakistan and terrorism
India is seeking to buy fighter aircraft and nuclear reactors - deals that are expected to generate multi-billion dollar contracts, for which several US companies are bidding.
India also announced on Monday that it had approved sites where American companies will build two nuclear power plants.
It is part of a civilian nuclear deal signed by the US and India last year.
Mrs Clinton is spending three full days in India. She departs on Tuesday.
Correspondents say Mrs Clinton's visit aims to show the US is committed to broadening its ties with Delhi.
Addressing students at Delhi University ahead of the talks, Mrs Clinton said the US wanted to "deepen our strategic understanding" with India and find more common ground.Addressing students at Delhi University ahead of the talks, Mrs Clinton said the US wanted to "deepen our strategic understanding" with India and find more common ground.
As well as Mr Singh, Mrs Clinton has held talks with the leader of the opposition, Lal Krishna Advani.
She is also expected to meet her Indian counterpart, SM Krishna and the head of the ruling Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi.
Lucrative deals
Monday is the business-end of Mrs Clinton's visit to India, the BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says.
Both sides are expected to sign key agreements on boosting defence and nuclear ties, he adds.
India is seeking to buy nuclear reactors and fighter aircraft - deals that are expected to generate multi-billion dollar contracts, for which several US companies are bidding.
Diplomatic test for Clinton in IndiaDiplomatic test for Clinton in India
India's relations with neighbouring Pakistan are also expected to feature prominently in discussions. Mrs Clinton also held talks with the leader of the opposition, Lal Krishna Advani.
India's relations with neighbouring Pakistan were also expected to feature prominently in discussions.
Our correspondent says that publicly Mrs Clinton has insisted that what Pakistan and India do is completely up to them.Our correspondent says that publicly Mrs Clinton has insisted that what Pakistan and India do is completely up to them.
But he says everyone in Delhi is clear it was pressure from Washington that pushed the countries to hold talks in Egypt last week.But he says everyone in Delhi is clear it was pressure from Washington that pushed the countries to hold talks in Egypt last week.
Pakistan-India relations dominated Mrs Clinton's visit to Mumbai on Saturday, in the wake of attacks on the city last November that left more than 170 people dead.Pakistan-India relations dominated Mrs Clinton's visit to Mumbai on Saturday, in the wake of attacks on the city last November that left more than 170 people dead.
India blamed Pakistan-based militants for the attack. Much of the US focus in the region has been on countering militancy in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
India's Junior Foreign Minister, Shashi Tharoor, told the BBC that Delhi and Washington shared similar concerns on security.
"We believe that terrorism of any stripe needs to be tackled firmly and we believe Washington is on the same page as us," he said.
Climate disagreements
Mrs Clinton is spending three full days in India. She departs on Tuesday.
Clinton: "I have seen a real commitment on the part of Pakistan"Clinton: "I have seen a real commitment on the part of Pakistan"
On Sunday, talks in Delhi focused on climate change, which remains a sensitive subject for developing countries such as India and China, which have so far refused to commit to carbon emissions cuts in a new treaty.On Sunday, talks in Delhi focused on climate change, which remains a sensitive subject for developing countries such as India and China, which have so far refused to commit to carbon emissions cuts in a new treaty.
Mrs Clinton also sought to assure India the US would not try to impose conditions that might affect India's economic growth.Mrs Clinton also sought to assure India the US would not try to impose conditions that might affect India's economic growth.
But Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said his government could not accept targets that would limit economic growth.But Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said his government could not accept targets that would limit economic growth.
India argues the US must do more as it has been historically to blame for the emissions.India argues the US must do more as it has been historically to blame for the emissions.
Mrs Clinton later told reporters she was optimistic a deal on climate change could be reached.Mrs Clinton later told reporters she was optimistic a deal on climate change could be reached.
The key date for climate change is December - when a summit in Copenhagen will look to forge a new international treaty that will replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.The key date for climate change is December - when a summit in Copenhagen will look to forge a new international treaty that will replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.
Are you in India? What do you hope Hillary Clinton's visit will achieve? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in India? What do you hope Hillary Clinton's visit will achieve? Send us your comments using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions