India and the US resolved to further strengthen their robust defence ties as a bulwark against China’s belligerence in the Indo-Pacific, even as US secretary of defence Lloyd J Austin raised human rights issues and India’s impending induction of the Russian S-400 missile systems.
After a wide-ranging meeting with defence minister Rajnath Singh, Austin, who was a four-star general in the US army, said elevating the India-US defence relationship is a “priority” for the Biden administration while describing the partnership as “a stronghold of a free and open Indo-Pacific region”.
At a briefing of journalists, Austin said he had “conversations” with Indian ministers on the “specific issue” of human rights, though he did not get the opportunity to talk to PM Narendra Modi on the matter. Austin said, “India is our partner, and whose partnership we value. And I think partners need to be able to have those kinds of discussions. And certainly, we feel comfortable doing that. And you can have those discussions in a very meaningful way and make progress.”
On the strategic partnership front, mentioning the “Quad” as a key element of cooperation, Austin said: “PM Modi has stated that India stands for freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce, and adherence to international law. This is a resounding affirmation of our shared vision for regional security in the Indo-Pacific.”
Underlining the new US administration’s policy to strengthen alliances and partnerships to foster “credible deterrence” against China, Austin said, “I reaffirmed our commitment to a comprehensive and forward-looking defence partnership with India as a central pillar of our approach to the region.”
Rajnath Singh, in turn, said India too is keen to work together with the US to “release the full potential” of the bilateral “comprehensive global strategic partnership” with the agenda, including furthering intelligence and logistics cooperation.
