US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin III met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval Friday evening.
In the meeting, PM Modi outlined his vision for the strategic partnership between the two countries and emphasised the role of bilateral defence cooperation between the two sides.
Secretary Austin reiterated the USA’s commitment towards strengthening the bilateral India-US relations. He also expressed the US’s strong desire to enhance the strategic partnership for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. He also commended India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific and the growing engagement with like-minded partners across the region to promote shared goals.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to promote a free and open regional order. Both sides exchanged perspectives on shared challenges confronting the region and committed to further strengthen their broad ranging and robust defence cooperation.
Secretary Austin on a 3-day visit
Austin arrived in New Delhi on Friday on a three-day visit to India, from March 19 to 21. He is set to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday. He is also expected to lay a wreath at the National War Memorial.
The American Defence Secretary is also expected to call on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in the second half on Saturday.
China on the agenda
India and the US are likely to discuss China and other important regional security issues, such as Afghanistan, during Secretary Austin’s visit. This is the first visit by a top official of the Biden administration to India.
India and the US have been working closely with each other after the Chinese attempts to change the status quo in the eastern Ladakh area in April-May last year. The US side also helped by providing timely defence hardware supplies during the conflict apart from sharing important satellite feed and inputs.
The Indo-Pacific region is largely viewed as an area comprising the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea. China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and its efforts to advance into the Indian Ocean are seen to have challenged the established ‘rules-based global order’ headed by the USA. Moreover, China has criticised the Indo-Pacific framework and the Quad initiative as an Asian version of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), with the USA seeking to undermine its legitimate rise.
The Indian defence ministry said that Austin’s visit to India as part of his first overseas travel emphasises the strength of the India-US strategic partnership.
Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.