US Army chief to hold defence ties talks

New Delhi: The US Army chief of staff, Gen Peter J Schoomaker, will hold talks with top Indian leaders on bilateral defence ties and the regional security scenario during his three-day visit here.

Schoomaker, who is scheduled to reach here late on Thursday, is expected to meet Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and the chiefs of the three services, including army chief Gen J J Singh.

"This is part of the exchange of visits by India and the US as part of their high-level defence ties," a defence ministry official said.

Schoomaker will also visit Meerut and interact with the military top brass at the United Service Institution and the National Defence College here, officials said.