Tuesday, January 31 2006 16:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: US Ambassador David C Mulford, who is at the centre of a controversy over his remarks on the nuclear deal with India, today(Jan 31,2006) said Washington and New Delhi had 'entered a new era' of relationship and defence cooperation between them would help improve regional and global security and stability.

Visiting the American exhibits at the Defence Expo-2006 that opened here this morning, he described the defence ties between India and the US as a strategic partnership.

"The US and India have entered a new era," Mulford said.

He noted that there was growing cooperation between the US and India on security and a wide range of issues. "Our defence cooperation enhances both of our nations' capabilities and will help to improve regional and global security and stability," the Ambassador said.

Mulford was at the centre of a controversy after his remarks in an interview to PTI that the Indo-US nuclear deal, signed on July 18 last year, could "die" in the American Congress if New Delhi did not oppose Iran's nuclear programme.

As many as 22 major US companies are participating in the DEFEXPO reflecting the growing interest of the US industry in the Indian defence market. The US Army is also participating in the exposition for the first time and has set up a Technology Booth. This makes it one of the five international shows to witness the participation of American Army.