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Tag: Lloyd Austin

  • US Defence Secretary Austin arrives in India, to hold talks with Rajnath Singh

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in India on Sunday on a two-day visit to explore ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, especially in areas of transfer of critical technologies for co-development of military hardware.

    Secretary Austin’s trip comes over two weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Washington during which the two sides are expected to unveil initiatives to expand the India-US global strategic partnership.

    “I’m returning to India to meet with key leaders for discussions about strengthening our Major Defense Partnership. Together, we’re advancing a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the US defence secretary tweeted shortly after landing in New Delhi.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Austin are set to discuss in their talks on Monday General Electric’s proposal to share technology with India for fighter jet engines and New Delhi’s plan to procure 30 MQ-9B armed drones at a cost of over USD 3 billion from US defence major General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc besides other issues, people familiar with the matter said.

    India has been looking at manufacturing of jet engines in India under the framework of technology transfer to power its fighter aircraft.

    In June 2016, the US designated India a “Major Defence Partner” paving the way for sharing of critical military equipment and technology.

    China’s aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific as well as along the Line of Actual Control and ways to combat the threat of terrorism are also likely to figure in the discussions between Singh and Austin.

    The US Defence Secretary arrived from Singapore. It is Secretary Austin’s second visit to India. His previous trip to India was in March 2021.

    In his address at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Friday, the US defence secretary said, “Our Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology with India lets us explore new ways to co-develop key defence platforms.”

    Austin said the US is “stepping up planning, and coordination, and training with our friends from the East China Sea to the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean.”

    “That includes staunch allies such as Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand. And it includes as well such valued partners as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and clearly our hosts here today in Singapore,” he said.

    In a major move, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi announced in May last year that the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) to elevate and expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the two countries.

    The iCET is expected to forge closer linkages between the government, academia and industry of the two countries in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 5G and 6G, biotech, space and semiconductors.

    On Saturday, Austin tweeted that he was deeply saddened by the train accident in Balasore.

    “Deeply saddened to hear of the tragedy in Balasore. Our hearts go out to our partners in India. I will convey our condolences in person when I meet with senior leaders in India in the coming days,” he said.

    Replying to the tweet, Singh said: “Deeply touched by your condolences. Thanks for your support. Looking forward to meet you tomorrow.”

    The India-US defence and strategic ties have been on an upswing in the last few years.

    The two countries have inked key defence and security pacts over the past few years, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 that allows their militaries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.

    The two sides also signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in 2018 which provides for interoperability between the two militaries and provides for the sale of high-end technology from the US to India.

    In October 2020, India and the US sealed the BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) agreement to further boost bilateral defence ties.

    The pact provides for sharing of high-end military technology, logistics and geospatial maps between the two countries.

    NEW DELHI: US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in India on Sunday on a two-day visit to explore ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, especially in areas of transfer of critical technologies for co-development of military hardware.

    Secretary Austin’s trip comes over two weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Washington during which the two sides are expected to unveil initiatives to expand the India-US global strategic partnership.

    “I’m returning to India to meet with key leaders for discussions about strengthening our Major Defense Partnership. Together, we’re advancing a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the US defence secretary tweeted shortly after landing in New Delhi.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Austin are set to discuss in their talks on Monday General Electric’s proposal to share technology with India for fighter jet engines and New Delhi’s plan to procure 30 MQ-9B armed drones at a cost of over USD 3 billion from US defence major General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc besides other issues, people familiar with the matter said.

    India has been looking at manufacturing of jet engines in India under the framework of technology transfer to power its fighter aircraft.

    In June 2016, the US designated India a “Major Defence Partner” paving the way for sharing of critical military equipment and technology.

    China’s aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific as well as along the Line of Actual Control and ways to combat the threat of terrorism are also likely to figure in the discussions between Singh and Austin.

    The US Defence Secretary arrived from Singapore. It is Secretary Austin’s second visit to India. His previous trip to India was in March 2021.

    In his address at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Friday, the US defence secretary said, “Our Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology with India lets us explore new ways to co-develop key defence platforms.”

    Austin said the US is “stepping up planning, and coordination, and training with our friends from the East China Sea to the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean.”

    “That includes staunch allies such as Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand. And it includes as well such valued partners as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and clearly our hosts here today in Singapore,” he said.

    In a major move, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi announced in May last year that the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) to elevate and expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the two countries.

    The iCET is expected to forge closer linkages between the government, academia and industry of the two countries in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 5G and 6G, biotech, space and semiconductors.

    On Saturday, Austin tweeted that he was deeply saddened by the train accident in Balasore.

    “Deeply saddened to hear of the tragedy in Balasore. Our hearts go out to our partners in India. I will convey our condolences in person when I meet with senior leaders in India in the coming days,” he said.

    Replying to the tweet, Singh said: “Deeply touched by your condolences. Thanks for your support. Looking forward to meet you tomorrow.”

    The India-US defence and strategic ties have been on an upswing in the last few years.

    The two countries have inked key defence and security pacts over the past few years, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 that allows their militaries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.

    The two sides also signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in 2018 which provides for interoperability between the two militaries and provides for the sale of high-end technology from the US to India.

    In October 2020, India and the US sealed the BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) agreement to further boost bilateral defence ties.

    The pact provides for sharing of high-end military technology, logistics and geospatial maps between the two countries.

  • Jaishankar, Austin discuss new opportunities for bilateral defence industrial cooperation

    By PTI

    WASHINGTON:  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin have discussed new opportunities for bilateral defence industrial cooperation, a move which Pentagon said would enhance New Delhi’s contribution as a regional security provider.

    Jaishankar, who is on a four-day official trip to Washington, drove down to the Pentagon on Monday for a meeting with Austin.

    The two leaders reviewed priority lines of effort to deepen bilateral defense cooperation, as the United States and India progress toward a more advanced stage in their partnership, according to a Pentagon readout of the meeting.

    Austin and Jaishankar committed to expanding information-sharing and logistics cooperation to drive deeper operational coordination between the US and Indian militaries.

    “They also discussed new opportunities for bilateral defense industrial cooperation in support of India’s contributions as a regional security provider, including the launch of a new defence dialogue later this year as the United States and India work more closely together across space, cyber, artificial intelligence, and other technology areas,” the Pentagon said.

    During the meeting, the two leaders underscored the value of the deepening collaboration between the US, India, Australia, Japan, and European partners.

    In this context, the US looks forward to working with India and like-minded partners to promote security, prosperity, and transparency throughout the region, including through the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, the Pentagon said, amid China flexing muscles in the strategic region.

    The United States, India, Japan and Australia have formed the Quad, a four-way grouping.

    They have been stepping up cooperation in various fields such as defence and energy amid China’s increasing military and economic clout in the region.

    China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it.

    Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. China also has territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea.

    The relations between India and China have soured over the incursion by Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh in May 2020, leading to a prolonged military standoff that is still unresolved.

    On the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly last week, the Quad strongly opposed any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo or increase tensions in the Indo-Pacific, amidst China’s increasingly intimidatory behaviour in the region.

    Welcoming Jaishankar to the Pentagon, Austin recollected his recent phone call with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

    They exchanged perspectives on a range of issues of shared interest, spanning recent developments in East Asia, the Indian Ocean Region, and the global reverberations of the Ukraine crisis, the readout said.

    The Pentagon said Austin and Jaishankar reaffirmed their commitment to working together as steadfast partners to advance the United States and India’s shared vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

    Meanwhile, after the meeting, Jaishankar tweeted, “Defence and Security cooperation is a key pillar of the contemporary India-US partnership. We noted the steady progress in policy exchange, interoperability, defence trade, service exercises and military-industrial cooperation.”

    “Exchanged perspectives on the Ukraine conflict, Indo-Pacific developments, maritime challenges and regional issues,” he added.

    WASHINGTON:  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin have discussed new opportunities for bilateral defence industrial cooperation, a move which Pentagon said would enhance New Delhi’s contribution as a regional security provider.

    Jaishankar, who is on a four-day official trip to Washington, drove down to the Pentagon on Monday for a meeting with Austin.

    The two leaders reviewed priority lines of effort to deepen bilateral defense cooperation, as the United States and India progress toward a more advanced stage in their partnership, according to a Pentagon readout of the meeting.

    Austin and Jaishankar committed to expanding information-sharing and logistics cooperation to drive deeper operational coordination between the US and Indian militaries.

    “They also discussed new opportunities for bilateral defense industrial cooperation in support of India’s contributions as a regional security provider, including the launch of a new defence dialogue later this year as the United States and India work more closely together across space, cyber, artificial intelligence, and other technology areas,” the Pentagon said.

    During the meeting, the two leaders underscored the value of the deepening collaboration between the US, India, Australia, Japan, and European partners.

    In this context, the US looks forward to working with India and like-minded partners to promote security, prosperity, and transparency throughout the region, including through the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, the Pentagon said, amid China flexing muscles in the strategic region.

    The United States, India, Japan and Australia have formed the Quad, a four-way grouping.

    They have been stepping up cooperation in various fields such as defence and energy amid China’s increasing military and economic clout in the region.

    China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it.

    Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. China also has territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea.

    The relations between India and China have soured over the incursion by Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh in May 2020, leading to a prolonged military standoff that is still unresolved.

    On the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly last week, the Quad strongly opposed any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo or increase tensions in the Indo-Pacific, amidst China’s increasingly intimidatory behaviour in the region.

    Welcoming Jaishankar to the Pentagon, Austin recollected his recent phone call with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

    They exchanged perspectives on a range of issues of shared interest, spanning recent developments in East Asia, the Indian Ocean Region, and the global reverberations of the Ukraine crisis, the readout said.

    The Pentagon said Austin and Jaishankar reaffirmed their commitment to working together as steadfast partners to advance the United States and India’s shared vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

    Meanwhile, after the meeting, Jaishankar tweeted, “Defence and Security cooperation is a key pillar of the contemporary India-US partnership. We noted the steady progress in policy exchange, interoperability, defence trade, service exercises and military-industrial cooperation.”

    “Exchanged perspectives on the Ukraine conflict, Indo-Pacific developments, maritime challenges and regional issues,” he added.

  • Rajnath talks Afghanistan, Defence with US Secretary

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajanth Singh and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin had a telephonic conversation on Monday ahead of the scheduled US visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the first in-person summit of the Quad state heads on September 24.

    Singh and his US counterpart discussed a range of bilateral issues and the prevailing situation in Afghanistan. “We’ve agreed to continue the useful dialogue. We look forward to strengthening the partnership further,” Singh later tweeted.

    It was their first conversation after the Taliban seized Afghanistan on August 15. India has been inviting the US defence firms to invest in the country while asserting that there is a lot of scope for the American and Indian defence equipment manufacturers for co-production and co-development.

    Speaking during the inaugural address at the 18th India-US Economic Summit, the defence minister stated that the initiatives taken by the government had transformed India into a strong and reliable investment destination. 

  • Elevating defence partnership with India priority of Biden admin: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  India’s current security challenges like tension with China on the Line of Actual Control and human rights were among issues that figured in talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Defence Secretary Llyod Austin, who is on a two-day trip to India, on Saturday.

    Sources said that Austin raised the issue of human rights during his meeting with Jaishankar and said that “as the two largest democracies in the world, human rights and values are important to us and we will lead with these values”.

    Sources added that Jaishankar agreed and emphasised that a strong relationship between the two democracies was not only important for both countries but for the rest of the world as well.

    Later, at a media briefing, Austin said, “India is our partner whose partnership we value. And I think partners need to be able to have those kinds of discussions. And certainly, we feel comfortable in doing that and you can have those discussions in a very meaningful way and still make progress.”

    The issue of human rights was raised amid global concerns raised over the government’s handling of the farmer protest, alleged persecution of minorities and independent voices being gagged. Ahead of Llyod’s visit, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee had written to the defence secretary urging him to take up the issue during his visit.

    On India-China tension, Austin said in his press briefing that the US never thought the two countries were on the brink of war. Sources said that during the meeting that lasted an hour, the two leaders also discussed the importance of the Indo-Pacific region and the Afghanistan situation in detail. 

    Earlier, Austin held talks with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the two countries decided to increase interaction between their armed forces, specifically with the US military commands having their operations into the Indian Ocean Region, Eastern Coasts of Africa and the Gulf.

    “We reviewed the wide gamut of bilateral and multilateral exercises and agreed to pursue enhanced cooperation with the US Indo-Pacific Command, Central Command and Africa Command. Acknowledging that we have in place the foundational agreements, LEMOA, COMCASA and BECA, we discussed steps to be taken to realise their full potential for mutual benefit,” Singh said.

    The defence minister quoted the recent Quad summit resolve to maintain a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Both India and the US share concerns over increased maritime activities including the patrolling by the Chinese warships and submarines into Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific region.

    Singh said the discussions focussed on wide-ranging defence cooperation and expanding military-to-military engagement across services, information sharing, cooperation in emerging sectors of defence and mutual logistics support. This is the first official visit abroad by a top functionary of the new Biden administration.

    Convey message of commitment

    Austin said his visit was about conveying the Biden administration’s message of the US’s strong commitment to its allies and partners. “India is an increasingly important partner amid today’s rapidly shifting international dynamics,” he said

    Looking for like-minded allies

    The US Defense Secretary He said there was discussion on engagement with like-minded partners through multilateral groupings such as the Quad and ASEAN. The 10-nation ASEAN is a key stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific region

    Condoling death of pilot in crash

    Austin condoled the death of a Group Captain of the Indian Air Force in an accident involving a Mig-21 Bison aircraft in Gwalior this week. “I would like to express my condolences for the tragic accident that killed an Indian Air Force pilot,” he said.

  • US Defence Secretary Austin in India; Talks about ‘most pressing’ challenges facing Indo-Pacific

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday expressed his country’s strong desire to further deepen strategic ties with India to address the “most pressing” challenges facing the Indo-Pacific as he began a three-day visit to the country that is aimed at expanding cooperation with close partners amidst China’s growing assertiveness in the region.

    Austin, who arrived here as part of his three-nation first overseas tour as the Defence Secretary, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed international, regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest, following which Modi tweeted that India and the US are committed to their strategic partnership that is a “force for global good”.

    The US defence Secretary also held wide-ranging discussions with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and almost all key issues of mutual concerns, including China’s aggressive behaviour in the region are learnt to have figured in the deliberations.

    After the Prime Minister’s discussions with Austin, a PMO statement said the US Defence Secretary reiterated Washington’s continued commitment towards strengthening the bilateral defence ties and “expressed strong desire” to further enhance the strategic partnership for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

    “Pleasure to meet US Sec Def Lloyd Austin today. Conveyed my best wishes to POTUS Joe Biden. India and US are committed to our strategic partnership that is a force for global good,” Modi tweeted.

    Austin’s visit is seen as a reflection of the Joe Biden administration’s strong commitment to ties with its close Asian allies and partners.

    Austin visited Japan and South Korea before India.

    “Thrilled to be here in India. The breadth of cooperation between our two nations reflects the significance of our major defense partnership, as we work together to address the most pressing challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region,” the US Defence Secretary tweeted.

    A readout by the US government said Secretary Austin commended India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific and growing engagement with like-minded partners across the region to promote shared goals.

    “The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to promote a free and open regional order. Both sides exchanged perspectives on shared challenges confronting the region and committed to further strengthen their broad ranging and robust defence cooperation,” it said.

    Welcoming Austin, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said his visit to India is definitely going to further deepen the cooperation and partnership between two countries.

    “Looking forward to our meeting tomorrow,” Singh tweeted.

    On Saturday, Austin will lay a wreath at National War Memorial in the morning, and will be given a guard of honour at Vigyan Bhavan before his talks with Singh, officials said.

    Ways to further accelerate India-US strategic ties, boosting cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, China’s aggressive behaviour in eastern Ladakh, challenge of terrorism and the Afghan peace process are expected to be focus of the talks between Austin and Singh, people familiar with the US official’s visit said.

    They said India’s plan to procure around 30 multi-mission armed Predator drones from the US for the three services at an estimated cost of over USD 3 billion is also expected to figure in the talks.

    The medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) Predator-B drones, manufactured by US defence major General Atomics, are capable of remaining airborne for around 35 hours and can hunt down targets at land and sea, they said.

    India’s plan to acquire 114 fighter jets at a cost of around USD 18 billion could also figure in the talks as American defence majors –Boeing and Lockheed -Martin– are eyeing it, the people said.

    His visit to India came days after the top leadership of the Quad grouping of India, the US, Japan and Australia vowed to expand their cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

    Ahead of Austin’s visit, Senator Robert Menendez, Chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote a letter to the US Defence Secretary, urging him to take up with Indian leaders the issue of New Delhi procuring Russian S-400 missile defence system.

    Though democracy and human rights issues do not come under the domain of the Pentagon, Menendez also urged Austin to raise these concerns with Indian leaders.

    In October 2018, India signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, notwithstanding a warning from the Trump administration that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions.

    Recently, the US imposed sanctions on Turkey under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for purchase of S-400 missiles from Russia.

    The evolving situation in the Indo-Pacific region in the wake of China’s increasing military muscle flexing has become a major talking point among leading global powers.

    The US has been favouring making Quad a security architecture to check China’s growing assertiveness.

    The visit is also taking place at a time when India and China are looking to achieve the objective of disengagement from all friction points in eastern Ladakh after completing withdrawal of troops in the North and South banks of Pangong lake areas.

    Austin and Singh had a telephonic conversation on January 27.

    The Indo-US defence ties have been on an upswing in the last few years.

    In June 2016, the US had designated India a “Major Defence Partner”.

    The two countries have also inked key defence and security pacts over the past few years, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 that allows their militaries use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies as well as provides for deeper cooperation.

    The two sides have also signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in 2018 that provides for interoperability between the two militaries and provides for sale of high end technology from the US to India.

    In October last year, India and the US sealed the BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) agreement to further boost bilateral defence ties.

    The pact provides for sharing of high-end military technology, logistics and geospatial maps between the two countries.

  • Newly appointed US Secretary of Defence and Rajnath Singh discuss regional and global issues

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh received an introductory telephone call from the newly appointed US Secretary of Defence Gen. (Retired) Lloyd Austin on 27 January 2021.

    Ministry of Defence (MoD) in its official statement said, “Defence Minister and Secretary Austin discussed bilateral, regional and global issues.”

    During the telephonic talk, they reaffirmed their commitment to work together to strengthen the multifaceted India – US defence cooperation and the strategic partnership, added the MoD.

    Spoke with my US counterpart, @SecDef Austin & conveyed my warm wishes on his appointment.We reiterated our firm commitment to deepen India-US defence cooperation. We exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest to strengthen our strategic partnership.
    — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 27, 2021

    Previously, Rajnath Singh had Congratulated Secretary Austin on his appointment.

    The United State Senate confirmed the nomination of General (retired) Lloyd Austin to serve as the 28th secretary of the defence department and he is the first-ever African American to occupy the top Pentagon position under President Joe Biden administration.

    The US House of Representatives had passed a special waiver giving exemption to Austin from the seven-year ‘cooling off period’ for retired generals taking over as defence secretary. The Senate approved the waiver by 69-27 votes.  

  • Will elevate defence ties with India: US Secretary nominee Lloyd Austin

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  US Secretary of Defense nominee Lloyd Austin has said that the Joe Biden administration’s objective would be to  elevate defence ties with India.

    “If confirmed, my overarching objective for our defense relationship with India would be to continue elevating the partnership,” Austin said while addressing members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing. 

    Austin, a retired General, said that he would operationalise India’s status as a major defence partner and ensure that the militaries of the two countries can continue to cooperate on shared interests.

    “I would also seek to deepen and broaden the defence cooperation between India and the US through the Quad security dialogue and other regional multilateral engagements,” he said.

    On Pakistan, the secretary of defense nominee said that Islamabad has taken steps against anti-Indian groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed but the progress has been incomplete. He was also of the opinion that Pakistan has taken constructive steps to meet the US  expectations with regard to the Intra-Afghan peace process.“

    Many factors in addition to the security assistance suspension may impact Pakistan’s cooperation, including Afghanistan negotiations and the dangerous escalation following the Pulwama terrorist attack,” he said and added that he would press Pakistan to not let allow its soil to be used by terrorists and militants as a sanctuary.

    Meanwhile, in a way endorsing the India policy of the Trump administration Secretary of State nominee Tony Blinken told members of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing that “India has been a bipartisan success story of our successive administrations”.