Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh engaged in a productive telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin on March 18, 2024, marking another step forward in bolstering bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations.
During the discussion, both ministers touched upon a variety of topics, including bilateral and regional security concerns, as well as avenues for enhancing defence collaboration.
Notable events such as the recently held INDUS-X Summit in New Delhi in February 2024, and the commencement of the bilateral Tri-Service exercise ‘Tiger Triumph’ in India on the same day, were reviewed and appreciated.
According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Defence on March 18, 2024, Secretary Austin commended the pivotal role played by the Indian Navy in conducting anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean Region, underscoring the significance of India’s contributions to maritime security.
The two leaders explored strategies to effectively implement the India-US Defence Cooperation Roadmap, finalized the previous year, aiming to deepen defence ties across various domains.
Additionally, discussions encompassed defence industrial cooperation, including the potential for US naval ship repairs in Indian shipyards, highlighting the mutual benefits of leveraging each other’s strengths in the defence sector.
The telephonic exchange between Rajnath Singh and Lloyd Austin marks their latest interaction following their last meeting in New Delhi in November 2023 during the India-US Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue.
This ongoing engagement underscores the commitment of both nations to strengthen their strategic partnership and address shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.