New Delhi (NVI): US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin today arrived in India on a three-day visit and will be meeting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit as the two leaders are likely to discuss ways to bolster India-US strategic ties and strengthening cooperation in Indo-Pacific at QUAD and bilateral level.
India-China disengagement process and Afghan peace process are also likely to come up during the meeting between Singh and Austin.
This is US Defence Secretary’s first overseas trip after Joe Biden was elected to office. Austin has already visited to Japan and South Korea and is currently on the third leg of his visit.
Pertinent to mention that Japan is one of the QUAD nations, the other three are Australia, US and India.
“Thrilled to be here in India. The breadth of cooperation between our two nations reflects the significance of our major defense partnership, as we work together to address the most pressing challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region,” Austin said in a tweet after he landed in New Delhi at 4.40 pm.
Thrilled to be here in India. The breadth of cooperation between our two nations reflects the significance of our major defense partnership, as we work together to address the most pressing challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region. pic.twitter.com/0wA88ERrDn
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) March 19, 2021
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also replied on Austin’s tweet while welcoming him. “Warm welcome to Delhi, @SecDef Mr. Austin. Your visit to India is definitely going to further deepen the cooperation and partnership between India and the United States. Looking forward to our meeting tomorrow,” he tweeted.
Warm welcome to Delhi, @SecDef Mr. Austin. Your visit to India is definitely going to further deepen the cooperation and partnership between India and the United States.
Looking forward to our meeting tomorrow. https://t.co/vcIHWUcEpC
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 19, 2021
Soon after his arrival, the US Defence Secretary called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi conveyed his best wishes to US President Joe Biden, during his meeting with Austin.
Pleasure to meet U.S. @SecDef Lloyd Austin today. Conveyed my best wishes to @POTUS @JoeBiden. India and US are committed to our strategic partnership that is a force for global good. pic.twitter.com/Z1AoGJlzFX
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 19, 2021
In the evening, the US Defence Secretary met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He is also expected to meet External Affairs minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tomorrow.
The US Embassy in New Delhi released a statement on Lloyd Austin’s arrival as me met PM Modi and NSA Ajit Doval on the first day of his visit.
“On March 19, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III arrived to India for a first day of meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Secretary Austin commended India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific and growing engagement with like-minded partners across the region to promote shared goals. 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,” read the statement.
-ARK
