In a high-level diplomatic rendezvous, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, engaged in productive discussions with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The focal points of their discourse encompassed the augmentation of bilateral defense cooperation, emphasizing the co-production of defense articles and a comprehensive analysis of global security challenges.
Secretary Austin extended a warm welcome to Minister Jaishankar at the Pentagon, underlining the significance of US-India collaboration within the Indo-Pacific region. During their deliberations, the two officials exchanged perspectives on an array of security matters, with a particular focus on recent developments in East Asia and the Indian Ocean region.
Pentagon’s Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh reported that Austin and Jaishankar explored avenues to deepen bilateral defense cooperation. Their agenda encompassed expanded defense industrial cooperation, streamlined logistics procedures to enhance operational synergy, and the ongoing implementation of the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X).
Additionally, Minister Jaishankar engaged with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, expressing appreciation for the substantial strides made in technology collaboration and economic partnership this year. They pledged to further elevate this momentum.
Earlier, Minister Jaishankar held meetings with key US officials, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He also interacted with the business community and members of the US Congress.
This diplomatic confluence aims to build upon the agreements and understandings reached during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United States in June. It sets the stage for the forthcoming 2+2 meeting, where Secretaries Blinken and Austin are expected to visit India, reinforcing the strong strategic partnership between the two nations.
Furthermore, the US-India trade relationship was a focal point of discussions, with an emphasis on the resolution of longstanding disputes at the World Trade Organization and India’s tariff reductions on specific US products. Both sides expressed their intent to collaborate on the broader WTO agenda, including reforms for the organization’s greater inclusivity.
Tai and Jaishankar also explored India’s pivotal role in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and identified sectors for future collaboration, especially in bolstering supply chain resilience, including critical minerals.
This diplomatic interplay underscores the evolving dynamics of the US-India partnership and sets the stage for continued cooperation on multifaceted fronts.
By PTI
