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US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III will visit Japan, Singapore, India and France next week. Austin is likely to meet Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and other leaders during his visit to India. If sources are to be believed, America and India want to further strengthen their relations. Austin is also working to continue the modernization of the US-India defense partnership.
India and the US are now more strategically linked than ever: Assistant Secretary
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Eli Ratner said yesterday that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit India in early June to discuss bilateral defense cooperation. He further said that India and America are now more strategically connected than ever. There is a clear directive from the top political leadership that defense ties with India should be given top priority. He also hinted at major announcements during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the US on June 22. He also expressed confidence in the clear support of the US for the development of a joint production and defense system to strengthen India’s indigenous capabilities.
This will be Austin’s second visit to India
This will be Austin’s second visit to India after assuming office in January 2021. However, this will be his seventh visit to the Indo-Pacific. Austin will go to Tokyo and then Singapore. He will address the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 4 before leaving for New Delhi. Austin will be the fourth US cabinet-level minister to visit India this year. Earlier, Foreign Minister Antony J. Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo visited India in February and March.
PM Modi will also go to America
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit America in June. Meanwhile, a state dinner has been organized for PM Modi on June 22. According to the White House, a large number of people in America want to meet him. A large number of requests are coming to US President Joe Biden for this.