Rajnath discusses India-us defence ties with Austin
NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday held a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin in Cambodia as the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest while expressing their commitment to a strong India-us defence cooperation.
Singh and Austin are in Cambodia to attend the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus, the defence ministry here said in a statement.
It said Singh and Austin met each other at Siem Reap with “great warmth” and “expressed satisfaction at the growing bilateral defence engagements”. Singh was accompanied by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, it said.
Defence minister Singh shared pictures of his meetings with Austin on Twitter. “Delighted to meet the US Secretary of Defence, Mr Lloyd J. Austin in Siem Reap. @Secdef,” he tweeted.
The two leaders discussed a “wide range of issues of mutual interest while expressing their commitment to a strong
India-us defence cooperation”.
Singh highlighted India’s growing expertise in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and shipbuilding, repairs and refits and suggested specific areas where US defence companies can look for technology cooperation and manufacturing opportunities with Indian partners in India, the statement said.
Secretary Austin welcomed the suggestions and assured Singh of cooperation.
“The two leaders expressed their commitment towards an inclusive and rules-based Indo-pacific with freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded trade. They discussed initiatives that can be taken to strengthen maritime cooperation...,” the ministry added.
India, ASEAN must join forces for maritime security, says Singh
Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday highlighted India’s continued advocacy for a free, open, inclusive and rulesbased Indo-pacific while also suggesting the need for India and ASEAN to work together for maritime security in the region.
During this maiden INDIAASEAN Defence Ministers’ meeting in Cambodia, he emphasised that the centrality of ASEAN in the Indo-pacific region is the “cornerstone” of India’s Act East Policy.