New Delhi : US Defense Minister Lloyd J Austin is visiting India for a three-day tour from today, amidst an escalating conflict with China in eastern Ladakh for the past several months. This is the first time an American minister is visiting India after US President Joe Biden came to power. On this special occasion, Lloyd Austin will meet Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and the NSA and consider strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries.
US Secretary of Defense (Minister) Lloyd Austin will reach Delhi this evening. On Saturday morning, Lloyd Austin will first pay tribute to the brave soldiers at the National War Memorial. After this, he will reach the South Block. Here, he will be given a shared Guard of Honor of the Tri-Service (i.e. Army, Air Force and Navy). After this, bilateral talks will begin between Lloyd Austin and India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. During this talks between the two leaders, military and defense representatives of both countries will also be present. After the meeting is over, the two countries will also issue a joint statement.
According to the US Defense Department, Lloyd Austin will meet his counterpart, Rajnath Singh, as well as leaders associated with national security (NSA etc.) during the three-day round in India. Both countries will emphasize on strengthening the defense-partnership on this special occasion. Along with this, they will also discuss the end of China on the Indo-Pacific region and the western Indian Ocean.