U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Tuesday evening met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence in the national capital on the first day of his two-day visit to this country.

Sources said that during Panetta's visit, the two countries would discuss a range of issues relating to their strategic partnership and also military trade.

"Discussions are likely to be held on India's concerns over the situation emerging out of the planned withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO troops from Afghanistan in 2014. The issue of Indian concerns over Pakistan's role in aiding and abetting terror in the region and supply of arms and ammunition by the U.S. to Islamabad are also expected to figure in the talks," the sources said.

The American side may also push India to enhance military hardware cooperation which received a setback after India rejected two American fighters in race for the 126 Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft in 2011, the sources added.

This is the U.S. Defense Secretary's first visit to India since assuming office last summer and is also the last leg of a nine-day tour of Asia.