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Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's Meeting with Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj

Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby provided the following readout:

Secretary Hagel met today with Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi. It was the first conversation between the two leaders.

Secretary Hagel expressed his strong desire to strengthen and deepen the relationship, especially in the defense sector. The two leaders discussed strategic geo-political issues, to include Iraq, Afghanistan and increasing cooperation in the Indian Ocean and Pacific regions.

They also discussed the importance of continuing robust defense trade, particularly in terms of co-development and co-production, as well as the importance of the defense sector in creating economic growth and job opportunities in the United States and India.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strong bilateral relations, and both expressed the desire for a robust and energetic summit between President Obama and Prime Minister Modi in the fall.