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U.S., India strike military satellite deal

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo touched down in New Delhi Monday (October 26) - the first stop on his Asia tour which is aimed at strengthening ties in the face of growing Chinese influence across the region.

The Indian defense ministry announced it would sign a military agreement on the sharing of satellite data with America during the visit, which also includes U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement on Geospatial Cooperation will allow India access to data for better accuracy of weapons like missiles and drones.

On Tuesday, Pompeo and Esper will hold a joint summit with India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.

The U.S. delegation is also scheduled to call on India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to local officials.

Pompeo is due to travel to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, before ending his trip in Indonesia - one of several Southeast Asian countries wary of growing Chinese activity in the disputed South China Sea.