Washington: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates will travel to Russia next week for talks on issues including a planned US missile shield, the White House said today.

Rice and Gates will meet with their Russian counterparts on March 17 and 18,in a follow-up on similar discussions in October 2007,spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters.

"The agenda will cover a broad range of bilateral strategic issues, including missile defense, post start arrangements, cooperation on non-proliferation as well as counterterrorism," said Perino.

Asked whether the discussions would also cover possible next steps in the efforts to confront Iran over its nuclear programme, Perino said the topic was not on her list but "I m sure that they ll talk about it."

US President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed during a telephone conversation last week "it would be a good idea," she said.

The meetings will occur amid tensions between Moscow and Washington, amid disputes over the planned US missile shield, NATO enlargement, Kosovo s declaration of independence, and energy issues.

Source : PTI