Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, in Washington.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has met the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and shared perspectives on “key” strategic matters of mutual interest, a day after India and the U.S. signed two key agreements to further boost their comprehensive global strategic partnership.

Singh arrived here on Thursday on a four-day official visit to further boost the comprehensive global strategic partnership between the US and India.

“Delighted to meet the National Security Advisor of the United States @jakesullivan and share perspectives on key strategic matters of mutual interest,” Mr. Singh said in a post on X after his meeting on Friday.

He also had a “fruitful” exchange with leading US defence companies and invited them to work with Indian partners to accelerate the Make in India programme.

“Had fruitful interaction with leading US defence companies at the Defence Industry – Roundtable organised by @USISPF (US India Strategic Partnership Forum). Invited them to work with Indian partners to accelerate our Make in India programme towards achieving Atmanirbharta in defence sector. Together, Indian and US companies will co-develop and co-produce for the world,” he said in another post.

“At a luncheon roundtable with USISPF Board members and leaders from the defence industry, the Defence Minister touched on the evolution of the US-India defence relationship, its phenomenal growth, and how the defence sector and investments from American companies will play a central part in India’s growth story and vision 2047,” USISPF said in a post on X.

It said that Mr. Singh “echoed building on the defence cooperation and elevating the strategic partnership through deeper defence engagements at multiple levels”.

President and CEO of USISPF Mukesh Aghi said that Mr. Singh touched on the “evolution of the defence relationship and the strategic depth, where the private sector now plays an epochal role in driving deep defence synergy in new areas of critical and emerging technology, such as cyber, drones, AI, space, and quantum.”

Earlier in the day, he met US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin to review and further deepen the existing defence cooperation activities between the two countries.

“Excellent meeting with my dear friend @SecDef Lloyd Austin. We reviewed the existing defence cooperation activities and discussed ways to deepen it further,” Mr. Singh posted on X.

The signing of Security of Supply Arrangements and the agreement for positioning of Indian officers at key US commands are pathbreaking developments, he added.

The agreements signed on Thursday pertain to the Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA) and a Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers.

Mr. Singh also interacted with the Indian community during the visit.

New Delhi:

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that he will be visiting Washington and looks forward to meeting his US counterpart Lloyd Austin. Mr Singh said that he will discuss areas of strategic interests and seek to strengthen defence cooperation between India and US.

Taking to X, Rajnath Singh stated, “Leaving for Washington. India and the United States share a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Looking forward to meet my friend @SecDef Austin. Will discuss areas of strategic interests, while seeking to strengthen defence cooperation.”

Leaving for Washington. India and the United States share a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Looking forward to meet my friend @SecDef Austin. Will discuss areas of strategic interests, while seeking to strengthen defence cooperation.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 21, 2024

During his visit, Rajnath Singh will meet the US Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Jake Sullivan.

In a press release, the Ministry of Defence stated, “Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will be undertaking an official visit to the US from August 23 to 26, 2024, on the invitation of the US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.”

The visit comes as there is a growing momentum in India-US relations and defence engagements at multiple levels.

“The visit is expected to further deepen and broaden the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” the release read.

“Rajnath Singh will also chair a high-level roundtable meeting with the US defence industry on the ongoing and future defence collaborations. He will also interact with the Indian community during the visit,” it added.

Earlier on August 17, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma in Delhi and spoke about the continuing momentum in the bilateral ties between the two countries.

Mr Jaishankar and Richard Verma also exchanged views on regional and global issues. Richard Verma served as the 25th United States Ambassador to India. He was nominated by President Obama in September 2014.

In a post on X, S Jaishankar said, “Pleased to meet @DepSecStateMR Richard Verma today in Delhi. Spoke about the continuing momentum in our bilateral ties. And exchanged views on certain regional and global issues.”

On July 29, Mr Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tokyo at the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting and stated that they had a wide-ranging discussion on regional and global issues.

Taking to X, S Jaishankar said, “Great to catch up with @SecBlinken in Tokyo today. Our bilateral agenda progresses steadily. Also had a wide-ranging discussion on regional and global issues. Look forward to attending the Quad FMM tomorrow.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be on a four-day visit to the US beginning Friday to further boost the comprehensive global strategic partnership between the two countries.

In Washington, Rajnath Singh will hold talks with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan among others.

India’s plan to procure 31 MQ-9B Predator drones, the proposed joint manufacturing of Stryker infantry combat vehicles and co-production of GE F414 engines in India are likely to figure prominently in Singh’s talks with Austin, officials said today.

“The visit is expected to further deepen and broaden the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” the defence ministry said announcing Singh’s trip to the US from August 23 to 26.

“The visit comes in the backdrop of the growing momentum in India-US relations and defence engagements at multiple levels,” it said.

Rajnath Singh will also chair a high-level round-table meeting with the US defence industry on the ongoing and future defence collaborations. He will also interact with the Indian community during the visit.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be on a four-day visit to the US beginning Friday to further boost the comprehensive global strategic partnership between the two countries.

In Washington, Rajnath Singh will hold talks with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan among others.

India’s plan to procure 31 MQ-9B Predator drones, the proposed joint manufacturing of Stryker infantry combat vehicles and co-production of GE F414 engines in India are likely to figure prominently in Singh’s talks with Austin, officials said today.

“The visit is expected to further deepen and broaden the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” the defence ministry said announcing Singh’s trip to the US from August 23 to 26.

“The visit comes in the backdrop of the growing momentum in India-US relations and defence engagements at multiple levels,” it said.

Rajnath Singh will also chair a high-level round-table meeting with the US defence industry on the ongoing and future defence collaborations. He will also interact with the Indian community during the visit.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)