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Tag: Lloyd J Austin

  • US Defense Minister Lloyd J Austin Hospitalized, Briefly Transfers Duties: Pentagon | world news

    New Delhi: Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III was hospitalized on Sunday afternoon with an “emergent bladder issue”, according to a statement from the Pentagon. He has transferred his duties to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks while he undergoes treatment. The statement, issued by Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, said that Austin was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at around 2:20 pm by his security detail. He was seen for symptoms suggesting a bladder problem, which could be related to his previous prostate cancer surgery.

    Ryder said that the Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were notified of Austin’s condition, as well as the White House and Congress. He initially said that Austin would retain his duties as defense secretary while in the hospital, but later updated that Austin had transferred the functions and duties of the office to Hicks.

    Austin, who is 71 years old, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020 and underwent surgery in January 2021. He was hospitalized for two weeks following complications from the operation, including a urinary tract infection. He returned to work in-person at the Pentagon at the end of January, and said that he was still recovering.

    Austin is the first African American to serve as the defense secretary, and was confirmed by the Senate in a 93-2 vote on January 22, 2021. He is a retired four-star general who served in the Army for 41 years, and was the commander of the US Central Command from 2013 to 2016.

    Austin was scheduled to travel to Brussels, Belgium, this week for a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, in what would be his first overseas trip since his initial hospitalization. It is unclear if he will be able to attend the meeting, which is aimed at addressing the security situation in Ukraine amid Russian aggression.

  • US Defence Secretary hails India’s leadership role in Indo-Pacific

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin on Friday commended India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific and growing engagement with like-minded partners across the strategically important region to promote shared goals.

    As part of his larger Indo-Pacific visits, Austin reached India on Friday, with plans of meeting the senior decision makers of the country, aiming to further strengthen ties between the two countries. Austin also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    “During the meeting, Modi outlined his vision for the strategic partnership between the two countries and emphasised the important role of bilateral defence cooperation in Indo-US ties,” a PMO statement said.

    Austin’s two-day visit ends on  Saturday. Apart from Indo-Pacific and other security challenges, talks are also said to cover Indo-US defence co-operation and upcoming defence deals between the two.

    Austin also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to discuss security challenges in the region, including Afghanistan and Indo-Pacific.

    In a series of meetings, Austin will be calling on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, with an aim to discuss ways to further enhance bilateral ties, including defence between the US and India.

    It’s the first high-level visit after President Joe Biden won the elections and formed the government in US. 

    “Secretary Austin reiterated the US government’s continued commitment towards strengthening the bilateral defence relations between the two countries. He expressed US’ strong desire to further enhance the strategic partnership for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,” said the PMO statement.

    Austin embarked on his Indo-Pacific visits on March 13.

  • US defence secretary’s India visit next week, inclusive Indo-Pacific region top on agenda

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: US Secretary of Defence General Lloyd J Austin will visit India from 19 to 21 March 2021. During his visit, Secretary Austin is expected to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior dignitaries of the Government of India.

    Bharat Bhushan Babu, Spokesperson Ministry of Defence, said, “Both sides are expected to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and exchange views on regional security challenges and common interests in maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.”

    Discussions regarding defence cooperation would also focus on how both countries could consolidate military-to-military cooperation and defence trade and industry cooperation, added Mr Babu.

    Secretary Austin’s visit to India as part of his first overseas travel emphasizes the strength of the India-US strategic partnership.

    Austin’s India sojourn is a part of his larger visit to Indo-Pacific nations. His visit would commence a day after the premiers of India, Australia, Japan and the US hold first “Leaders Summit” on March 12.

    In a series of tweets, Austin said, “I’ll then travel to India to meet with my counterpart, Minister of Defense @RajnathSingh, and other senior national security leaders to discuss deepening the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership and advancing cooperation between our countries.”

    In a quote retweet, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Looking forward to your visit, Secretary Austin.”

    US Department of Defence said in its release, “In India, Secretary Austin will meet with his counterpart, Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh, and other senior national security leaders to discuss deepening the US-India Major Defence Partnership and advancing cooperation between our countries for a free, prosperous and open Indo-Pacific and Western Indian Ocean Region.”

    Secretary Austin will be visiting Japan and Korea too to meet with his counterparts and other senior officials to discuss the importance of international defence relationships, and reinforce the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region — founded on respect for international rules, laws and norms, the release said.

    In his first leg of the tour, Austin will visit US Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters in Hawaii, wherein he will meet with US troops and senior commanders and highlight his vision for the Indo-Pacific region as a priority theater for the Department.

    After Hawaii, he will visit to Japan, where US Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken join him for the US-Japan Security Consultative Committee (“2+2”).

    In his third leg of his visit, he will embark to the Republic of Korea with his colleague Blinken.

    Last February, Foreign Ministers of QUAD nations held virtual meeting, wherein they agreed to work toward a “free and open Indo-Pacific” region.