Dr Singh is likely to seek elevation of the present buyer-seller realtionship between the two countries to that of joint partnership in design and co-production of defence harware.

“I leave today for Washington for a bilateral summit meeting with President Obama on 27th September. I will, thereafter, travel to New York to address the General Debate of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly,” the Indian Prime Minister said.

Boeing could snare yet another big order from India as the Indian Army has asked the Defence Ministry to acquire an unspecified number of AH-64D Apache attack helicopters. Last year, the Indian Air Force purchased 22 Apaches for $1.3 billion. A third order of helicopters could be in the offing for India’s planned Mountain Corps. US has already delivered C-17A Globemaster III and India is seeking 10 more.

India is interested in intensifying cooperation for internal security in various forms. “We are also interested in intensifying cooperation between our Home Ministry and the US Department of Homeland Security to enhance capacity building including in policing of large cities, partnerships in security technologies, combating counterfeit currency, and in securing ports, airports and land border terminals,“ said the Indian Foreign Secretary, Sujatha Singh.

Cooperation in energy, including clean energy, hydrocarbons, nuclear energy, is also on the agenda for discussion. Both sides will also review progress in implementation of the civil nuclear initiative that is a pillar of our strategic partnership.

Discussions are ongoing between NPCIL of India and WEC of the United States and both sides are trying to work within the ambit of the Indian Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act and Rules.

Dr Singh will also discuss the geo-political situation with President Obama as India already has wide-ranging consultations with the US on regional and global issues. These includes consultations on East Asia, Central Asia, and West Asia, as well as trilateral dialogues with Afghanistan and Japan. “We look to consolidate and build upon such dialogues, including on the Indian Ocean region,” said the Indian Foreign Secretary.

President Obama and Prime Minister Singh are also slated to discuss regional and global issues, including the situation in West Asia, South Asia and also our expanding cooperation with the regional institutions in Southeast Asia.

There will be discussions on trade and economic relations. India-US bilateral trade is $ 100 billion in goods and services. “Both sides are working at a senior official level to address issues of concern on each side, in areas ranging from manufacturing, trade, investment, innovation as well as with regard to issues relating to non-immigrant visas for our highly skilled IT and ITES workers,” Indian Foreign Secretary said.