New Delhi, November 21 (IANS). An important meeting took place on Thursday between Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defense Minister Lloyd J Austin. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Both countries appreciated the India-US defense partnership based on operational coordination, information-sharing and industrial innovation.
Both sides acknowledged the significant progress made under the US-India Defense Industrial Cooperation Roadmap. This includes ongoing defense cooperation to pursue preferential co-production arrangements for jet engines, munitions and ground mobility systems. On this occasion, the Defense Minister recalled his recent visit to America in August 2024.
Two important documents were decided in this journey. These include the Security of Supply Agreement (SOSA) and the Memorandum of Understanding regarding deployment of Liaison Officers. Both sides welcomed ongoing efforts to deepen military partnership and interoperability to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. Drawing attention towards the successful Quad summit in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 21, 2024, Rajnath Singh stressed the need for both sides to work together.
These include the new Regional Maritime Initiative for training in the Indo-Pacific, the first Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network, a pilot project to enable more rapid civilian response to natural disasters. Both sides confirmed India-US support for defense innovation by both governments, businesses, and academic institutions. Both sides agreed to continue the momentum achieved by growing India-US defense cooperation in strategic interests. Defense Minister expressed gratitude to US Defense Secretary Austin for his rich and lasting contribution in deepening and expanding the India-US defense partnership.
On this occasion, Rajnath Singh described US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin as a friend of India. He said that Lloyd Austin is a friend of India whose contribution in strengthening the India-US defense partnership has been exemplary. Apart from this, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also held important bilateral meetings with the Defense Ministers of many other countries including Australia and South Korea.
–IANS
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