US Def Secy, Rajnath review India-Pacific situations
India and the US on Saturday called for deepening defence and strategic ties with the US terming the partnership as a “stronghold” of a free and open India-Pacific region. This was in obvious reference to growing Chinese assertiveness in the region.
This takeaway came out after visiting US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held wide-ranging discussion on bilateral defence relations and situation in the India-Pacific. They also reportedly reviewed the situation on the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh where stand-off was still on at some flash points.
After the talks, Lloyd said elevating the India-US defence partnership is a “priority” of the Biden administration, and that India is an increasingly important partner amid rapidly shifting international dynamics and a “central pillar” in Washington’s approach towards the region.
Describing the talks as “comprehensive and fruitful,” Rajnath said the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation between Indian military and the US India-Pacific Command, Central Command and Africa Command. Moreover, both the countries are keen to work together to realise the full potential of the India-US global strategic partnership, he said.
Referring to India-US foundational agreements on defence cooperation, Rajnath said both sides discussed steps to be taken to realise the full potential of pacts such as LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement), COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) and BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement).
He also said the recent summit of leaders of India, the US, Japan and Australia under the Quad framework emphasised the resolve to maintain a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
Underlining the growing ties, Rajnath said, “India is committed to further consolidate our robust defence partnership with the US. I look forward to working with you closely to make the India-US relationship one of the defining partnerships of 21st century.”
In his media statement Austin, who arrived here on a three-day visit on Friday, said India is an increasingly important partner amid rapidly shifting international dynamics and Washington was committed to a “forward-looking” defence partnership with New Delhi as a central pillar of its approach to the region.
“As the world faces a global pandemic and growing challenges to an open and stable international system, the US-India relationship is a stronghold of a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
The US Defence Secretary said as the Indo-Pacific region faces challenges to a free and open regional order, cooperation among like-minded countries is imperative to securing the shared vision for the future.
He said the two Ministers discussed opportunities to elevate the US-India defence partnership through regional security cooperation, military-to-military interactions and defence trade.
In addition, the two sides are continuing to advance new areas of collaboration, including information-sharing, logistics cooperation, artificial intelligence, and cooperation in new domains such as space and cyber, the visiting Minister said.
Describing his talks with Rajnath were “productive”, he said a number of security issues which are important to the two countries were discussed.
“As the Indo-Pacific region faces acute transnational challenges, such as climate change, and challenges to a free and open regional order, cooperation among like-minded countries is imperative to securing our shared vision for the future,” he said.
Austin also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments that India stands for “freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce, and adherence to international law.”
“This is a resounding affirmation of our shared vision for regional security in the Indo-Pacific. And it’s clear that the importance of this partnership, and its impact to the international rules-based order will only grow in the years ahead,” he said.
Welcoming the US Defence Secretary, Rajnath also said the discussions focused on defence cooperation and expanding military-to-military engagement across services, information sharing, cooperation in emerging sectors of defence, and mutual logistics support.
While no deals were inked during the talks, sources said India’s plan to procure around 30 multi-mission armed Predator drones from the US for the three services at an estimated cost of over USD 3 billion also figured in the talks.
The medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) Predator-B drones, manufactured by US defence major General Atomics, are capable of remaining airborne for around 35 hours and can hunt down targets at land and sea.
The US Defence Secretary began his statement by condoling the death of a Group Captain of the Indian Air Force in a crash involving a Mig-21 Bison aircraft in Glior this week.
Group Captain Ashish Gupta was killed in the accident on Wednesday when his aircraft went down after taking off for a combat training mission.
Austin also met the Prime Minister, National Security Advisor(NSA)Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. “Welcomed US @SecDef Lloyd Austin at MEA. A wide-ranging conversation on the global strategic situation. Look forward to working with him on enhancing our strategic partnership,” Jaishankar tweeted.