Pleasure to satisfy US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, conveyed my greatest needs to US President Joe Biden, PM Modi tweeted.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin on Friday recommended India’s management function within the Indo-Pacific and rising engagement with like-minded companions throughout the strategically essential area to advertise shared targets. Austin arrived in India as a part of his three-nation first abroad tour because the Defence Secretary.
His go to to India is seen as a reflection of the Biden administration’s robust dedication to ties with its shut allies and companions within the area. Austin visited Japan and South Korea earlier than arriving in New Delhi.
Earlier within the day, Austin known as on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
“Pleasure to meet U.S. @SecDef Lloyd Austin today. Conveyed my best wishes to @POTUS @JoeBiden. India and US are committed to our strategic partnership that is a force for global good,” PM Modi.
“Secretary Austin commended India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific and growing engagement with like-minded partners across the region to promote shared goals,” in line with a readout by the US division of defence.
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“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,” the readout added.
Welcoming Austin, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh mentioned his go to to India is certainly going to additional deepen the cooperation and partnership between two international locations. Austin and Singh are scheduled to carry bilateral talks on Saturday.
Austin’s go to to India got here days after the highest management of the Quad grouping of the US, India, Japan and Australia vowed to develop their cooperation within the Indo-Pacific amidst China’s aggressive actions within the area.
The US has been favouring making Quad a safety structure to test China’s rising assertiveness.
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