US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta arrived in India on Tuesday for talks focusing on Washington's strategic shift towards Asia, as the United States sees New Delhi as a potentially pivotal partner.

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta Source: internet

During his two-day visit, Panetta is expected to discuss expanding defence ties, the NATO war effort in Afghanistan and China's increasing economic and military power in the region. Panetta is due to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon before giving a policy speech on Wednesday. A military official said the US sees India as a partner with many common interests but both countries have been disappointed over the lack of progress in defence trade and other fronts. Although US arms sales to New Delhi have risen dramatically over the past decade, in 2011 India rejected bids by US contractors for a $12 billion fighter jet contract. French companies Dassault and Euro fighter are now in exclusive talks for the deal.