US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin is set to embark on a visit to India, South Korea, and Indonesia for key security talks, according to the US Department of Defense. This will be Austin’s ninth official visit to the Indo-Pacific region since he assumed office.
During his visit to India, Austin will meet with Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and participate in the fifth 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, which will also involve US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The discussions will focus on expanding defense industrial cooperation, enhancing interoperability, and driving innovation through the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem. Following the Ministerial Dialogue, Austin and Blinken will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
After his visit to India, Austin will travel to South Korea where he will meet with Minister of National Defense Shin Wonsik and other senior South Korean leaders. This will include the 55th annual Security Consultative Meeting and the inaugural ROK-UN Command Member States Defense Ministerial Meeting. He will also meet with US military commanders and service members on the Korean Peninsula to reaffirm the strong commitment to the Republic of Korea’s extended deterrence.
In addition to these visits, Secretary Austin will also attend the 10th ASEAN Defense Ministers‘ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus in Indonesia. While in Jakarta, he will conduct an informal meeting with ASEAN leaders to discuss opportunities for expanding security cooperation, particularly in light of the ASEAN-US relationship’s elevation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Austin will also meet with regional counterparts to emphasize the United States’ unwavering commitment to working with allies and partners in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
This trip to the Indo-Pacific comes at a critical time as the United States, together with its Indo-Pacific allies and partners, continues to build momentum towards a shared vision of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between India and the United States has been an important platform for discussing common issues of concern and strengthening strategic ties between the two countries. The upcoming dialogue will focus on military hardware cooperation, with India likely to request the sharing of high-end technology for the development of indigenous weapon systems.
It is worth noting that India and the US recently reached a deal worth USD 3 billion for the supply of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones to the Indian defense forces. Additionally, the US is advocating for the sale of six additional P-8I surveillance planes to India.
Secretary Austin’s visit underscores the United States’ commitment to maintaining strong partnerships and cooperation with its allies in the Indo-Pacific region. The discussions held during these visits will play a crucial role in advancing common security objectives and fostering regional peace and stability.
