US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to visit India this June, as part of a series of high-level meetings under the Biden administration’s new Indo-Pacific strategy. During his trip, Austin is expected to hold talks with defence minister Rajnath Singh and other senior officials to discuss India-US defence and security cooperation.
The visit will provide an opportunity for the two countries to further explore greater cooperation in military, defence preparedness, and technology collaboration. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening the Indo-Pacific partnership that is essential to the security of the entire region. The two sides are also likely to explore ways to jointly address regional security challenges like terrorism and maritime security.
Additionally, Austin is likely to take part in strategic dialogue sessions to discuss stability in the Indian Ocean and progress India and the United States have made throughout the India-US Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI). The agenda could also include the prospects for enhanced defence collaboration, leveraging India’s “Major Defence Partner” status to expand access to advanced technologies, deepening defence trade and defence industry partnerships.