U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in Delhi on a two-day visit, is looking to forge closer military links with India, national media reported on Tuesday.

According to The Times of India, Gates met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh "amidst a desire by the U.S. to step up military cooperation and see that India and Pakistan join hands to combat terrorism."

Gates will hold substantive talks with Defense Minister A K Antony on Wednesday and is expected "to push a reluctant India to sign a bilateral Logistics Support Agreement and a communication sharing pact," the paper said.

He said the parties would also discuss joint military exercises and the development of the arms trade.

NEW DELHI, January 19 (RIA Novosti)