India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin met on Monday to discuss enhancing defence ties. The talks centred on boosting India-US defence co-operation, with the focus being on convergence of strategic interests and enhanced security co-operation between the two nations. The two officials recognised the importance of a strong partnership between India and the US to ensure a free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region.
Austin’s visit to India holds particular significance in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming state visit to the US in June. The US Defence Secretary tweeted upon his arrival in India: I’m returning to India to meet with key leaders for discussions about strengthening our Major Defense Partnership. Together, we’re advancing a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Over the past few years, India and the US have signed key defence and security agreements, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016, the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018, and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) in 2020. The LEMOA provides a framework for reciprocal provision of logistic support, supplies and services for activities such as joint exercises, training or humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, while the BECA further boosts bilateral defence ties.
The Pentagon said that the US Defence Secretary’s visit to India provides an opportunity to accelerate new defence innovation and industrial co-operation initiatives, and drive ongoing efforts to expand operational co-operation between the two countries’ militaries.
