Mr. Austin will hold talks with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and other leaders as part of his first visit abroad
US Secretary of State Lloyd Austin will visit India on March 19-21, where he will hold talks with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and other leaders as part of his first visit abroad, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday morning. The dates of the visit to India were released by the Ministry of Defense. The Secretary, whose visit begins on Saturday, will also visit the US Indo-Pacific Command in Japan and South Korea and Hawaii. The Pentagon said the visit would strengthen America’s commitment to Indo Pacific.
“Secretary Austin will meet with his counterparts and other senior officials to discuss the importance of international defense relations, and reinforce the United States’ commitment to an independent and open Indo-Pacific region – to international regulations, laws and norms Honor established, ”the Pentagon said.
“In India, Secretary Austin will deepen the US-India Major Defense Partnership with his counterpart, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior national security leaders, and pursue cooperation between our countries for an independent, prosperous and open Indo-Pacific And Western Indian Ocean region, “the statement said.
The two sides are expected to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation and exchange views on regional security challenges and common interests in maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. The defense ministry statement will also focus on how the two countries can strengthen military-to-military cooperation and defense trade and industry cooperation, ”said a defense ministry statement that India fights Mr. Austin Is part of the official visit of the Secretary as the Secretary underscored the strength of the US-India strategic partnership.
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India and the United States have broadened and deepened their security partnership in both Democrat and Republican administrations. Increasing Chinese assertiveness has also brought India and the United States closer in terms of security cooperation.
There are several big ticket defense deals in the pipeline between India and the US. An estimated 30 armed drones, 10 for each service, are proposed at $ 30b from Advanced Atomics to be cleared by the Ministry of Defense.
Last November, the Navy included two MQ-9BC Guardian unarmed drones purchased from the US on a one-year lease.
India is also looking for six additional P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft to add to the 12 already contracted.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will join Mr. Austin in Japan and South Korea.
“In Japan, Austin will join US State Department Secretary Antony Blinken, US-Japan Security Advisory Committee (” 2 + 2 “), hosted by Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Nobuo Sage. In the Pentagon’s statement It has been said that the US-Japan alliance has never been more firm and resilient – a cornerstone of peace and security in the free and open Indo-Pacific in view of long-term competition with China.
In South Korea, the Americans will be hosted by the country’s Foreign Minister Chung Yui-yong and Defense Minister Suh Woo. There, they would “reaffirm the United States’ iron-commitment to the security of the Republic of Korea, and emphasize that America and the Free Indo became a linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity in North-East Asia. – Pacific and worldwide “according to the Pentagon.
The quad leaders’ summit will be held for the first time on Friday between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison and Prime Minister of Japan Yoshihide Suga. The White House said on Tuesday that determining the event is another sign that the Indo-Pacific Biden is a high priority for the administration.
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