PM Modi, US Defence Secy call on strategic partnership and Indo-Pacific stability
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New Delhi, Mar 20: US Defence Secretary Lloyd James Austin III met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed America's strong desire to further enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
The Prime Minister welcomed the warm and close relationship between the two countries, which is rooted in shared values of democracy, pluralism and commitment to a rules-based order.
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PM Modi outlined his vision for the strategic partnership between the two countries and emphasized the important role of bilateral defence cooperation in India-US ties.
Secretary Austin requested Secretary Austin to convey his best wishes to President Biden. He reiterated the US government's continued commitment towards strengthening the bilateral defence relations between the two countries.
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PM Modi said in a tweet that India and the US are committed to a bilateral strategic partnership that is a force for global good. Secretary Austin is on a three-day official visit to India. It is the first visit to the country by a top official of the Biden administration.
Soon after he reached New Delhi, Austin, in a Twitter post, said: “Thrilled to be here in India. The breadth of cooperation between our two nations reflects the significance of our major defense partnership, as we work together to address the most pressing challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region.”
It should be noted that both the sides batting for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond is to curb the continous inteferences made by China. The conversation between both the countries took place hours after a public spat between top US and Chinese officials at a meeting in Alaska.
Austin’s arrival in New Delhi marks the first visit by a senior official of the Biden administration which came to power in January. He will meet his Indian counterpart, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Saturday. He will also visit the National War Memorial at India Gate and will be accorded a ceremonial guard of honour.
The visit comes days after the first-ever summit of the leaders of the Quadrilateral grouping, the Quad. The March 12 summit was attended by President Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morison.