New Delhi, Mar 19: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief Leon Panetta met Home Minister P Chidambaram and discussed the security situation in South Asia.

According to sources, issues like impact of the global economic crisis on the internal security of the countries and growing militancy in the subcontinent were discussed during the meeting.

The two sides expressed satisfaction about the close cooperation between India and the US during the Mumbai terror attacks, sources said.

Panetta, who arrived here late last night, is also scheduled to meet National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and other senior security officials.

This is the CIA chief''s first foreign visit after assuming office.

His visit comes weeks after meeting Pakistan Army Chief General Pervez Ashfaq Kayani and ISI chief Lt. Gen. Shuja Pasha in the US during their recent visit to that country. (ANI)