New Delhi (NVI): US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin will visit India from March 19 to 21 and is expected to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior government official during his three-day tour.
“Both Sides are expected to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and exchange views on regional security challenges and common interests in maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Discussions regarding defence cooperation would also focus on how both countries could consolidate military-to-military cooperation and defence trade and industry cooperation,” PIB’s Defence Wing said in a statement.
Secretary Austin’s visit to India as part of his first overseas travel emphasizes the strength of India-US strategic partnership, it said.
“In India, Secretary Austin will meet with his counterpart, Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh, and other senior national security leaders to discuss deepening the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership and advancing cooperation between our countries for a free, prosperous and open Indo-Pacific and Western Indian Ocean Region,” the US Department of Defence said in a statement.
Secretary Lloyd Austin also tweeted on his tour to Hawaii, Japan, Republic of Korea and India on which he embarks on Saturday.
“On Saturday, I’m embarking on my first overseas trip as Secretary of Defense. I’ll meet with my counterparts and other officials to discuss the importance of our alliances and partnerships, and together we’ll reinforce the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” he said in a series of tweets.
On Saturday, I’m embarking on my first overseas trip as Secretary of Defense. I’ll meet with my counterparts and other officials to discuss the importance of our alliances and partnerships, and together we’ll reinforce the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) March 10, 2021
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also responded to the US Defence Secretary’s tweet on India visit. “Looking forward to your visit, Secretary Austin,” he said in a tweet.
Looking forward to your visit, Secretary Austin. https://t.co/M7ibWkAJ8V
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 10, 2021
-ARK
