New Delhi (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today had a telephonic conversation with his US counterpart and newly appointed US Secretary of Defence, Gen (Retd) Lloyd Austin, as the two leaders discussed defence cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries.
During the telephonic talk, Rajnath and Austin discussed bilateral, regional and global issues. This is first high-level engagement between the two sides after the swearing-in of Joe Biden as the 46th US President last week.
“Spoke with my US counterpart, @SecDef Austin & conveyed my warm wishes on his appointment. We reiterated our firm commitment to deepen India-US defence cooperation. We exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest to strengthen our strategic partnership,” Rajnath tweeted.
Spoke with my US counterpart, @SecDef Austin & conveyed my warm wishes on his appointment.
We reiterated our firm commitment to deepen India-US defence cooperation. We exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest to strengthen our strategic partnership.— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 27, 2021
Earlier, Rajnath Singh had congratulated Secretary Austin on his appointment as US Secretary of Defence, the MoD said in a statement.
“During the call, Secretary Austin emphasized the Department’s commitment to the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership, observing that it is built upon shared values and a common interest in ensuring the Indo-Pacific region remains free and open,” the US Department of Defence said in a press statement provided by Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby.
Secretary Austin noted the great strides made in the US-India defense relationship, and he pledged to work collaboratively with the Defence Minster to sustain progress.
-ARK
