During his visit to New Delhi, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III commended India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific and growing engagement with like-minded partners across the region to promote shared goals
Secretary Austin arrived to India March 19 for three days of meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. 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 defense cooperation.
Politico reported that the U.S. and India have a shared interest in supporting freedom of navigation and “free, fair and reciprocal trade,” as well as the peaceful resolution of disputes in the Indo-Pacific, according to one of the senior defense officials, who spoke on background to discuss sensitive bilateral conversations. “To the extent that China or anybody else would want to undermine those principles or challenge those principles, that’s part of how you build these relationships and build these networks to provide balance to that or to stand up against it,” the person said.
The U.S. has sought to strengthen its partnership with India through increased military cooperation, particularly with the Indian Navy, and arms sales.
According to a statement from the Indian Prime Minister’s Office, Modi “outlined his vision for the strategic partnership between the two countries and emphasized the important role of bilateral defense cooperation in India-US ties”.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, “Had an excellent meeting in New Delhi with my US counterpart, Lloyd J. Austin on ways to strengthen India-US defense partnership.” He stated that the India-US partnership in the field of Defense has acquired the dimensions of strategic partnership in the last decade. “We are determined to expand India-US cooperation – from bilateral and multilateral exercises to developing closer bilateral linkages. We intend to pursue enhanced cooperation between the Indian military and US Indo-Pacific Command, Central Command and Africa Command.”
Referring to Indo-US foundational agreements on defense ties, Austin discussed steps to realise the full potential of pacts such as LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement), COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) and BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) for mutual benefit.
Singh also said the recent summit of leaders of India, the US, Japan, and Australia under the Quad framework emphasized the resolve to maintain a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. In his comments, Secretary Austin reaffirmed the commitment by the US to a comprehensive and forward-looking defence partnership with India as a “central pillar” of its approach to the region. He also described the India-US relationship as a “stronghold” of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
“Singh and I had a very productive discussion…I wanted to convey the Biden-Harris administration’s message about our strong commitment to our allies and partners,” he said.
