New Delhi (NVI): US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, who arrived here this evening on his first visit to India, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NSA Ajit Doval, during which the two sides discussed shared challenges confronting the region and committed to further strengthen the defence cooperation.
During the meetings, Austin commended India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific and growing engagement with like-minded partners across the region to promote shared goals.
“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,” PM Modi tweeted after 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
“Prime Minister welcomed the warm and close relationship between the two countries, which is rooted in shared values of democracy, pluralism and commitment to a rules-based order,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
“Prime Minister outlined his vision for the strategic partnership between the two countries and emphasized the important role of bilateral defence cooperation in India-US ties. He requested Secretary Austin to convey his best wishes to President Biden,” it added.
On the occasion, Secretary Austin reiterated the US Government’s continued commitment towards strengthening the bilateral defence relations between the two countries. He expressed US’s strong desire to further enhance the strategic partnership for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, MEA said.
Later in the evening, the US Defence Secretary had a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
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.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also welcomed Austin who is on his three-day visit to India that is being seen as strategically important in the wake of India-China border tensions and India-US defence relations.
“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,” Rajnath tweeted while replying to a tweet of the Defence Secretary upon his arrival in India.
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
“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.
-ARK
