Last Update: June 05, 2023, 4:37 PM IST
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in New Delhi. (Credit: Special Arrangement)
Lloyd Austin’s visit comes two weeks ahead of PM Modi’s state visit to the US, during which both sides are expected to announce initiatives to expand the India-US global strategic partnership.
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Monday met US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is on a two-day visit to India, and discussed ways to boost cooperation in maritime, military and aerospace technologies.
Sources said the two officials also discussed ways for greater transfer of technology, co-production and indigenous manufacturing capacity in line with India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Doval and the US Defense Secretary also discussed ways to adopt a strategic approach to global challenges through government-to-people, people-to-people and social ties.
The two leaders also decided to ensure that countries in diverse regions such as the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific retain the freedom to act in line with their national priorities and are not forced to make poor choices.
Secretary Austin’s visit comes two weeks before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Washington, during which the two sides are expected to announce initiatives to expand the India-US Global Strategic Partnership.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Lloyd Austin And said that India-US partnership is important to ensure a free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region.
This is Secretary Austin’s second visit to India. His last visit to India was in March, 2021.
The two countries have entered into major defense and security agreements over the years, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016, which allows their militaries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies. allows.
(With inputs from Shailendra Vangu)
