New Delhi: US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter, who is on a three-day visit to the country, will sign a fresh 10-year defence framework agreement with India on Wednesday.

The agreement, decided during the visit of US President Barack Obama to India in January, will focus on issues ranging from maritime security, aircraft carrier to jet engine technology cooperation and joint training.

Earlier today, Carter was accorded a Guard of Honour at the South Block. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was also present during the ceremony. The visiting dignitary earlier paid tributes at the Amar Jawan Jyoti here. Carter laid a wreath in the honour of the soldiers at the war memorial.

Today he will hold wide-ranging talks with arrikar during which India-US Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) will be a major area of focus, defence sources said, as per PTI.

The US Defence Secretary will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi besides meeting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

"Carter's trip to India is part of his focus on the US re-balance to Asia. Specifically, his trip to Vishakapatnam showcased his commitment to maritime security and the need for a regional security architecture that creates transparency and trust among regional partners," a statement by the US Embassy had said in New Delhi yesterday.

Carter, who arrived in India yesterday, began his tour with a trip to strategically important Eastern Naval Command in Vishakapatnam whose theatre of operation includes the critical South China sea region and the Strait of Malacca.

Ministry of Defence spokesperson Sitanshu Kar had posted yesterday the following pictures of Carter's arrival in India and visit to Vishakapatnam.

US DefSecy Ashton Carter lands at Vizag. pic.twitter.com/1ZWgquYBM8 — Sitanshu Kar (@SpokespersonMoD) June 2, 2015

US DefSecy Ashton Carter being briefed about the activities of the Eastern Naval Command at Vizag. @USSECDEF pic.twitter.com/9cyBHE1LHt — Sitanshu Kar (@SpokespersonMoD) June 2, 2015

US Secretary of Defence, Ashton Carter, visited INS Sahyadri, the indigenously built stealth frigate, at Vizag today. pic.twitter.com/TCUpCbHPVJ — Sitanshu Kar (@SpokespersonMoD) June 2, 2015

The US is in the process of re-balancing its naval assets into the Asia-Pacific and it is wooing India to be its partner in the region.

The American Navy plans to shift 60 percent of its maritime assets to the Pacific by 2020.

Carter is accompanied by his wife Stephanie and a 13-member US delegation.

(With PTI inputs)