Politics

Pentagon reaffirms strategic value of US-India Partnership ahead of ministerial meeting

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to host Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh at the Pentagon

August 16, 2024

US Defense official stresses importance of India relations and Indo-Pacific focus

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is scheduled to host Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Pentagon on August 23. The meeting highlights the ongoing importance of the US-India Defense Relationship and its significance to the Indo-Pacific region.

Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed the visit during a news conference on Thursday, noting, “The relationship with India remains one of great importance. It’s one of great importance to the Indo-Pacific as well. There’s a visit coming up and when we have more to share on that, we certainly will.”

The discussions between Austin and Singh are anticipated to cover a broad spectrum of bilateral and regional issues. The meeting aims to explore ways to enhance cooperation between the world’s two largest democracies. Singh refrained from providing specific details about the meeting, stating, “I’m not going to get ahead of the secretary or any meetings that he’s doing.”

Sabrina Singh did not share details of the meeting, saying “I’m not going to get ahead of the secretary or any meetings that he’s doing”.

“As always, we will have a readout of his meeting. I just don’t have more to provide on the front end, but we will on the back end, as we always do,” she added.

The Pentagon official underscored that India and the US share a very strong military relationship.

“The (defense) secretary, you know, visited India on one of his trips to the Indo-Pacific. India is an important partner when it comes to the Indo-Pacific and much of the NDS (National Defense Strategy) that continues to guide. This department is focused on the Indo-Pacific and our pacing challenge of China and India has shown to be a great partner in that. So, our military-to-military relationship is strong,” Sabrina Singh said.

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