During a meeting today between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defense General Lloyd Austin, the two countries concentrated on strengthening their military engagement, according to a joint statement released today. According to the statement, the talks included a wide range of defense cooperation, information sharing in developing regions, and mutual logistical support.
“I am happy to say that we had comprehensive and fruitful talks with Secretary Austin and his delegation,” Singh said after the meeting
The discussions, he said, were centered on broad defense cooperation, information sharing in developing areas, and mutual logistical support.
“We concentrated on increasing military-to-military engagement,” Singh said, adding that the nations are committed to realizing the full potential of a comprehensive global strategic partnership.
According to a joint statement, the two sides reviewed numerous bilateral and multilateral exercises and agreed to strengthen cooperation between the Indian military and the US Indo-Pacific, Central, and Africa Commands.
According to Austin, India remains an important partner in the rapidly changing international dynamics.
“As a central pillar of our approach to the Indo-Pacific region, I reaffirm our commitment to a comprehensive forward-looking defense relationship with India,” he said.
“PM Modi said that India supports freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as unrestricted lawful commerce in accordance with international law. This reaffirms our shared regional security vision “Austin continued.
He noted that both nations would take advantage of any opportunities to further improve their relations.
“Despite today’s difficult security climate, the US-India partnership — the world’s two largest democracies — remains robust and robust, and we will pursue every opportunity to strengthen this significant partnership,” Austin said.
The two sides discussed a number of bilateral and multilateral exercises and pledged to boost cooperation between the Indian military and the US Indo-Pacific, Central, and Africa Commands. The negotiations centered on steps to enforce bilateral defense pacts such as the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement, and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement, according to the joint statement (BECA).
India is the third destination on the three-nation tour of Mr. Austin, the first since this year the Joe-Biden administration began. The visit is seen as a sign of the new regime’s commitment to regional allies and partners. After arriving in Delhi on Friday, US Defense Secretary James Mattis met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
