Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrives in Washington on a four-day visit to US
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the strengthening of India-US relations during a speech to the Indian diaspora in Washington DC. Singh is in the United States for a four-day visit, invited by US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.
In his address, Singh highlighted the longstanding alliance between the two nations and their collaborative efforts to promote global peace and prosperity. He underscored the shared values and the significance of cultural connections between India and the United States.
Two significant defence agreements — the Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA) and a Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers — were also signed between the US Department of Defense and the Indian Ministry of Defence amid Rajnath Singh’s visit.
The SOSA ensures reciprocal priority support for national defence goods and services between the two nations, aimed at mitigating supply chain disruptions. Both countries also pledged to prioritize each other’s critical defence procurement needs.
This visit comes in the wake of progress made during the fifth annual India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in November 2023, where Washington reaffirmed its support for India’s military modernization and the strengthening of maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean Region.
Singh praised the Indian community for their contributions and urged them to maintain their commitment to both countries. He also celebrated the Indian ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The entire world is a family), emphasizing the importance of upholding cultural values and fostering strong ties with both nations.
He said, “You should always be dedicated to India, but your commitment to America should also not be doubted.” He further stressed the Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ noting that India views all global communities as one family, a belief rooted in its spiritual heritage.
The Defence Minister’s remarks reflect the deepening strategic partnership between India and the US, showcasing the mutual respect and collaborative spirit that defines the relationship.
The four-day visit of the Defence Minister also includes a high-level roundtable with the US defence industry to discuss ongoing and future defence collaborations. He is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Secretary Austin and meet with Jake Sullivan, the US Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.
The India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) continues to facilitate joint defence technology innovation and co-production between the two countries.
Both nations have also been engaged in ongoing discussions under the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden in January 2023.
The iCET is seen as a pivotal element in deepening the strategic partnership between India and the United States.
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