Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh engaged in a significant telephonic conversation with the US Secretary of Defence Mr Lloyd Austin on March 18, 2024. The discussion spanned various aspects of bilateral, regional security, and defence cooperation, highlighting recent milestones and future endeavours.
The Ministers reviewed recent bilateral events, notably the INDUS-X Summit held in New Delhi in February 2024, and the commencement of the bilateral Tri-Service exercise ‘Tiger Triumph’ in India on the same day. These events serve as vital platforms for enhancing military cooperation and interoperability between India and the United States.
During the conversation, the US Secretary of Defence expressed appreciation for the Indian Navy’s crucial role in conducting anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean Region. Both Ministers deliberated on strategies to effectively implement the India-US Defence Cooperation Roadmap, which was finalized last year, aiming to bolster defence ties and collaboration across various domains.
Furthermore, the discussion touched upon defence-industrial cooperation matters, including the potential for US naval ship repairs in Indian shipyards. This aspect underscores the growing synergy in defence manufacturing and maintenance between the two nations.
It is noteworthy that the telephonic conversation between Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin follows their last meeting in New Delhi during the India-US Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue in November 2023. These engagements reflect the commitment of both countries to deepening strategic partnerships and fostering mutual understanding in the realm of defence and security.
