NEW DELHI, Feb 26, SPA -- U.S. Defense Secretary RobertGates arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday to pursue closerstrategic ties with India after a breakthrough aircraft dealthe Pentagon thinks could usher in a new era of defencecooperation, reported reuters. Gates' visit to India, the world's second-fastest growingmajor economy, also reflects the interest of both the UnitedStates and India to counterbalance the rise of China, defenceofficials said. In meetings with Indian officials over two days, Gates willmake a sales pitch for U.S. defence manufacturers competingagainst international rivals for a fighter jet contractpotentially worth $10.2 billion. "One of the messages the defence secretary will be bringingwith him is, when you purchase from the U.S. you're getting notonly the best product in the world but you have the bestsupport system, the best maintenance package over the life ofthe product," the official said. "You also have companies that operate with integrity, whichis different than what India has seen with other partners inthe world. We offer the full package." --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/530726