US Defence Secretary Austin talks about strengthening ties with India
- 20 Mar 2021
Gulf Today Report
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh on Saturday discussed elevating and strengthening defence ties between the two nations, challenges confronting the region, as well as concerns over Chinese aggression and especially on information sharing and logistics.
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The Indian Defence Ministry said that Singh and Austin "are expected to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and exchange views on regional security challenges and common interests in maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region".
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin addresses a joint media briefing held in New Delhi on Saturday. AFP
"Discussions regarding defence cooperation would also focus on how both countries could consolidate military-to-military cooperation and defence trade and industry cooperation."
Austin is making the first visit by a top member of US President Joe Biden's administration to New Delhi as part of efforts to forge a alliance of countries seeking to push back against China's assertiveness in the region.