US Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and visiting Indian Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee signed a 10-year agreement Tuesday in the Pentagon establishing a new framework for the US-India security relationship.

The deal called for "an enhanced level of cooperation" between the two military forces as well as in defense industries and technological development, according to a statement issued after the signing.

The two sides would set up a group on joint weapon production and the United States would help India train naval pilots.

Mukherjee's visit, the first since he took up his post, aimed to discuss military cooperation including the possible purchase of F-16 fighter jets by India and to prepare for a White House visit next month by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Bush administration has strengthened its ties with India, cooperating on missile defense, economy, technology and energy.

Rumsfeld said Monday that he feels "very good about" the relationship.

"It has been developed over a period of four and half years in ways that, today, are multifaceted," Rumsfeld said.

Source: Xinhua