Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have discussed new opportunities for bilateral defense industrial cooperation, a move the Pentagon said would enhance New Delhi’s contribution as a regional security provider.
Jaishankar, who is on a four-day official trip to Washington, headed to the Pentagon on Monday to meet with Austin.
The two leaders reviewed priority lines of effort to deepen bilateral defense cooperation as the United States and India move into a more advanced phase of their partnership, according to a Pentagon report on the meeting.
Austin and Jaishankar pledged to expand information sharing and logistics cooperation to drive greater operational coordination between the US and Indian militaries.
“They also discussed new opportunities for bilateral defense industrial cooperation in support of India’s contributions as a regional security provider, including launching a new defense dialogue later this year, as the United States and India work more closely in space, cyber, artificial intelligence and other technology areas,” the Pentagon said.
S.Jaishankar questions US F-16 maintenance package to Pakistan.
During the meeting, the two leaders underscored the value of growing collaboration between the United States, India, Australia, Japan and European partners.
In this context, the US looks forward to working with India and like-minded partners to promote security, prosperity and transparency throughout the region, including through the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Partnership, said the Pentagon, in the midst of flexing China’s muscles in the strategic region.
The United States, India, Japan, and Australia have formed the QUAD, a four-way band. They have intensified cooperation in various fields, such as defense and energy, amid China’s growing military and economic weight in the region.
Austin and Jaishankar pledged to expand information sharing and logistics cooperation to drive greater operational coordination between the US and Indian militaries.
China claims almost all of the disputed South China Sea, although Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. China also has territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea.
Relations between India and China have soured in the wake of the incursion of Chinese troops into eastern Ladakh in May 2020, leading to a protracted military standoff that remains unresolved.
On the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly last week, the Quad firmly opposed any unilateral action that seeks to change the status quo or increase tensions in the Indo-Pacific, amid increasingly aggressive behaviour. Chinese intimidation in the region.
In welcoming Jaishankar to the Pentagon, Austin recalled his recent phone call with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. They exchanged views on a number of issues of common concern, covering the latest developments in East Asia, the Indian Ocean region and the global repercussions of the Ukraine crisis, according to the reading.
The Pentagon said Austin and Jaishankar reaffirmed their commitment to work together as strong partners to advance the shared US-Indian vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
In this context, the US looks forward to working with India and like-minded partners to promote security, prosperity and transparency throughout the region.
Meanwhile, following the meeting, Jaishankar tweeted: “Defence and security cooperation is a key pillar of contemporary India-US partnership. We note steady progress in policy sharing, interoperability, defense trade, service exercises, and military-industrial cooperation.”
“We exchange perspectives on the Ukraine conflict, Indo-Pacific developments, maritime challenges and regional issues,” he added.
Article republished from The Wire as part of an agreement between both parties to share content. Link to original article:https://thewire.in/diplomacy/jaishankar-austin-discuss-new-opportunities-for-bilateral-defence-industrial-cooperation
