This is a study for people diagnosed with hypertension to compare 3 doses (75 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg) of an experimental product, aliskiren in comparison to a placebo. Each patient is in the study for 8 weeks

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female outpatients 18 years of age and older
• Patients who are eligible and able to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe hypertension
• History or evidence of a secondary form of hypertension
• History of hypertensive encephalopathy or cerebrovascular accident.

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply