On December 3, 2018, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis welcomed India’s Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to the Pentagon for the fourth set of talks the two defense leaders have held this year. Both nations share “the same principles, values and respect for the rules-based international order,” Mattis said at the beginning of their meeting.
Defense cooperation between the two countries is continually improving, highlighting their shared vision of “a safe, prosperous and free Indo-Pacific, underpinned by respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations,” he added.
“Our bilateral relationship continues to be very strong,” Sitharaman said, and called the relationship between the nations “a strategic partnership.” She added, “There is a growing mutual trust and also the confidence in the defense partnership which augers very well for the future.” Sitharaman anticipates the bonds will grow and allow the two nations to cooperate on a number of regional and global issues.
Sitharaman will visit the Defense Innovation Unit in California and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii before returning to India.
