US defence chief Ashton Carter kicks off eight-day Asia visit today

US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter. AFP[/caption]"During his visit, the secretary will meet with leaders from more than a dozen nations across East Asia and South Asia to help advance the next phase of the US military’s rebalance in the region by modernising longtime alliances and building new partnerships," a statement issued by the US Department of Defence said.Among numerous meetings, Carter will attend the 47th annual US-Republic of Korea Security Consultative Meeting in Seoul, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers Plus meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said.The secretary also will deliver the keynote address at the 3rd annual Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, before returning to Washington, Davis added.During the Asian tour, Carter is also to visit Pakistan and India.IANS