The Defence Minister expressed gratitude to Secretary Austin for his contribution in defence partnership.
New Delhi:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin on the sidelines of the eleventh ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Assembly (ADMM)-Plus in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on November 21, in response to a launch from the Ministry of Defence.
The 2 leaders praised the progress achieved within the India-US defence partnership, which is underpinned by enhanced operational coordination, information-sharing, and industrial innovation, the discharge famous.
“Each side recognised the exceptional progress made underneath the US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, together with ongoing collaboration to advance precedence co-production preparations for jet engines, munitions, and floor mobility techniques,” the discharge acknowledged.
The Defence Minister highlighted his latest profitable go to to the US in August 2024, throughout which two vital agreements had been signed – the Safety of Provides Settlement (SOSA) and the Memorandum of Settlement relating to the deployment of Liaison Officers.
“Each side welcomed ongoing efforts to deepen the army partnership and interoperability to keep up a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the discharge added.
Referring to the QUAD Summit attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 21, Singh harassed the significance of working collectively on agreed initiatives, together with the Maritime Initiative for Coaching within the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), the first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, and the launch of a Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Community pilot challenge.
These initiatives goal to assist fast and environment friendly civilian responses to pure disasters throughout the Indo-Pacific, the assertion mentioned.
“Each side affirmed their dedication to fostering defence innovation collaboration between the 2 governments, companies, and tutorial establishments, as facilitated by the India-US Protection Acceleration Ecosystem. They agreed to offer extra joint challenges, funding alternatives, and visibility to drive this collaboration additional. Each side additionally dedicated to sustaining the momentum achieved over the past two and a half years by rising convergence in strategic pursuits and enhanced defence cooperation,” the discharge acknowledged.
The Defence Minister expressed his gratitude to Secretary Austin for his lasting contribution to deepening and increasing the India-US defence partnership.
In a put up on X, Rajnath Singh described Secretary Austin as a “nice buddy to India” and counseled his exemplary position in strengthening the defence partnership between the 2 nations. He additionally prolonged his finest needs for Austin’s future endeavours.
“It’s at all times a matter of immense pleasure to fulfill my buddy, Lloyd Austin. He has been an incredible buddy to India. His contribution in direction of strengthening the India-US defence partnership has been exemplary. I want him the perfect in all his future endeavours,” Singh wrote on X.
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