WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh met at the Pentagon today, highlighting the deepening defense relationship between the two nations. The meeting, marked by mutual commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, comes at a time of significant momentum in U.S.-India defense cooperation.
Secretary Austin praised the expanding industrial ties between the countries, particularly through the INDUS-X initiative, which focuses on accelerating defense innovation and strengthening supply chain resilience. He also noted India’s crucial role in regional security, particularly through naval operations in the Indian Ocean and participation in international exercises such as RIMPAC.
Minister Singh echoed the sentiments of growing strategic convergence and cooperation, underscoring the comprehensive global strategic partnership that the U.S. and India share. He highlighted the strong rapport between the leaders of both nations and their collaborative efforts on global issues, including recent high-level interactions such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the U.S. and President Biden’s visit to India for the G-20 Summit.
The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to further strengthen defense ties and enhance cooperation across various domains, setting the stage for continued collaboration in the years ahead.–News Desk