Mr Austin’s visit is significant because it is in the midst of expectations that the US is likely to deliver a message on India’s plans to acquire the Russian S-400 missile defense system in the coming months.
India on Saturday pledged to intensify defense cooperation with the US Central Command and the Indo-Pacific region in Florida and the US Commands in Africa. The announcement in this regard was made by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, who held talks with US Defense Minister General (Retd) Lloyd James Austin III, who described the Indo-US partnership as the “central pillar” of US policy for the Indo-Pacific.
“We reviewed the wide gamut of bilateral and multilateral exercises and agreed to pursue enhanced cooperation with the US Indo-Pacific Command, Central Command and Africa Command. We acknowledged that we had the basic agreement, LEMOA, COMCADA And BECA, we discussed the steps. Mr. Singh said in a joint meeting with the media at Vigyan Bhavan, to realize his full potential for mutual benefit. Mr. Singh also said that the bilateral discussion Covers military-to-military engagement in “services, information sharing, cooperation in emerging areas of defense, and mutual logistic support”.
Earlier in the day, the Secretary of Defense paid his tributes and garlanded the National War Memorial. He arrived here on Friday and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr. Austin said, “India is an important partner in rapidly changing international dynamics, especially today. I am looking forward to a comprehensive and pioneering defense partnership with India as a central pillar for our vision in the region.” I reaffirm my commitment to it. ” A three-day visit to India on his maiden visit after assuming office on January 22 as part of the Biden-Harris administration.
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Mr Austin’s visit is significant as it comes amid expectations that the US is likely to deliver a message on India’s plans to acquire the Russian S-400 missile defense system in the coming months. The move could attract US sanctions under the law of CAATSA (Sanctions Through America’s Advisers Act).
In a clear indication of Beijing’s growing military activities in the South China Sea region, Mr. Austin said the Indo-US defense partnership would “develop” in the coming years. “US-India relations are a bastion of an independent and open Indo-Pacific region. PM Modi has said that India stands for freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight, legitimate commerce without license and adherence to international law. It is a There is fantastic confirmation. Our shared vision for regional security in the Indo-Pacific, “Mr. Austin said.
Reflecting US policy, Mr. Singh drew attention to India’s recent summit of leaders from the United States, Japan and Australia under a quadrangular framework and collectively “resolve to maintain an independent, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.” Emphasized. He said, the two sides discussed non-traditional challenges such as “oil spills and environmental disaster, drug trafficking, illegal, illegal, unregulated (IUU) fishing.”
Mr. Singh also welcomed American industry and said it should “take advantage of India’s liberal foreign direct investment policies in the defense sector”.
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