Safety/Efficacy of Combo Therapy With Aliskiren & Hydrochlorothiazide vs Therapy With Hydrochlorothiazide Alone in Patients With Hypertension

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female outpatients 18 years old or older. * Patients with a diagnosis of hypertension defined as follows: * Newly diagnosed patients or patients who have not been treated for hypertension within the 4 weeks prior to Visit 1 must have a msDBP \>= mmHg and \< 110 mmHg at Visit 1. * All patients who have been treated for hypertension within the 4 weeks prior to Visit 1 must have a msDBP \>= 85 mmHg and \< 110 mmHg at Visit 2. * All patients must have a msDBP \>= 90 mmHg and \< 110 mmHg at Visit 5. * Patients who are eligible and consent to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Severe hypertension (msDBP \>= 110 mmHg and/or MSSBP \>=180 mmHg). * Previous or current diagnosis of heart failure. * History of hypertensive encephalopathy or cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic cerebral attack, myocardial infarction, coronary bypass surgery, or any percutaneous coronary intervention. * Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply