Washington: Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat met US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and discussed advancing defence partnership between the two countries, including in domains such as space, cyber, and emerging technologies, the US Department of Defense said in a statement.
Austin met with General Rawat during his visit to the Pentagon on September 30, 2021.
“The two leaders exchanged views on priorities for advancing the US-India defence partnership, including through enhanced cooperation in new defence domains such as space, cyber, and emerging technologies,” the statement said.
Secretary Austin underscored the U.S. commitment to supporting the Indian Armed Forces’ transition toward greater institutional integration and operational jointness. They also discussed opportunities for expanding multilateral cooperation with regional partners.
“This historic meeting highlights the enduring strength of the US-India Major Defense Partnership as the two countries work in concert with like-minded partners to sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the statement said.
This was the Chief of Army Staff’s first visit to the Pentagon, which comes a week after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden in the US.
The two leaders had reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence ties.
A summit of Quad was also held which was attended by Modi and Biden along with Australian Prime Ministers Scott Morris and Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga.
Austin’s visit to India in March this year was his first overseas trip as defence secretary.
In November this year, India and the US will also hold a 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.
