Delegation-Level Talks Between Indo-US Defense Ministers

Delegation-level talks between Indo-US defense ministers agreed to increase defense cooperation.

US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin is on a tour of India. US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin, who arrived in Delhi on a three-day visit to India, met today at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi.

The delegation-level talks between India and the United States were held in this meeting. Many important issues were discussed in this meeting.

After this meeting, a joint statement was issued by India and the United States. It said that it was agreed to pursue defense cooperation between the two countries.

India-US agreed to increase cooperation in defense.

Delegation-level talks between Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin concluded at Vigyan Bhavan.

After this, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh issued an Indo-US joint statement saying on behalf of India that I am happy to say that we had a wide and fruitful conversation with Secretary Austin and his delegation.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that we are determined to realize the full potential of a comprehensive global strategic partnership.

Defense-cooperation was widely discussed, military expansion to military expansion, information sharing and cooperation in emerging areas of defense, and mutual logistics support were discussed.

He said that we also reviewed a number of bilateral and multilateral exercises and we agreed to enhance the cooperation of the Indian Army, US Indo-Pacific Command, Center Command, and Africa Command.

We have signed LEMOA, COMCASA, and BECA agreements and we have agreed to realize their full potential.

US Defense Minister’s statement.

After Rajnath Singh, US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin also gave a statement. He said that our relationship is a stronghold of the free and open Indo-Pacific region.

He said that PM Modi said that India stands for freedom of navigation and freedom in observance of international law. This confirms our shared approach to regional security.

Austin further said that I would like to express my deepest condolences for the tragic accidental death of an Indian Air Force pilot (Ashish Gupta) earlier this week.

He said that India is an important partner in rapidly changing international mobility.

I reaffirm our commitment to a comprehensive forward-looking defense partnership with India as a central pillar of our vision for the Indo-Pacific region.

The US Defense Minister said that we also discussed engagement with like-minded partners through multilateral groups such as the Quad and ASEAN.

As the Indo-Pacific region faces intense international challenges and challenges to an independent and open territorial order, cooperation between like-minded countries is imperative.

He said that despite today’s challenging security environment, the partnership between the United States and India – the world’s two largest democracies remains resilient and strong and we will explore every opportunity to build this major partnership.

US Defense Minister meets PM Modi-Doval.

On reaching India, the US Defense Minister met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. His meeting with PM Modi and NSA Ajit Doval on the very first day has deep meaning.

The two-day visit of Austin, the first senior US diplomat to visit India after President Joe Biden took office, will be busy with diplomatic engagements and discussions.