Lloyd Austin meets PM Modi, expresses ‘strong desire’ to enhance strategic partnership

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who landed in New Delhi on Friday and is on a three-day India trip, expressed strong desires of Washington to further deepen strategic ties with India to address the “most pressing” challenges being faced in the Indo-Pacific region. Austin’s visit is aimed at expanding cooperation with close partners amidst China’s growing assertiveness in the region.

Austin discussed international, regional, and bilateral issues of mutual interest with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the PM later tweeted that India and the US are committed to their strategic partnership that is a “force for global good”.

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After PM Modi’s talks with Austin, the PMO issued a statement saying the US defense Secretary reiterated Washington’s continued commitment towards strengthening the bilateral defence ties and “expressed strong desire” to further enhance the strategic partnership for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

“Pleasure to meet US Sec Def Lloyd Austin today. Conveyed my best wishes to POTUS Joe Biden. India and US are committed to our strategic partnership that is a force for global good,” Modi tweeted.

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Austin also held wide-ranging discussions with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and almost all key issues of mutual concerns, including China’s aggressive behaviour in the region, are learnt to have figured in the deliberations.

Before India, Austin visited Japan and South Korea. His visit marks the strong commitment by US President Joe Biden to ties with its close Asian allies and partners. 

Austin commended India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific and growing engagement with like-minded partners across the region to promote shared goals, a readout by the US government said.

“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,” it said.

Austin will meet his counterparts, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday. 

Ways to further accelerate India-US strategic ties, boosting cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, China’s aggressive behaviour in eastern Ladakh, challenge of terrorism and the Afghan peace process are expected to be focus of the talks between Austin and Singh, people familiar with the US official’s visit said.