New Delhi: India and the U.S. engaged in comprehensive discussions on November 10 to strengthen their global strategic partnership, emphasizing increased defense industrial collaboration, deepening involvement in the Indo-Pacific region, and fostering cooperation in critical areas such as high-technology and essential minerals.
The U.S. delegation, led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, participated in the 2+2 ministerial talks, with India represented by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
In his televised opening remarks, Minister Jaishankar highlighted the opportunity for the dialogue to advance the shared vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden, aiming to build a forward-looking partnership and establish a collaborative global agenda. He expressed India’s interest in exploring cooperation in emerging areas such as critical technologies, civil outer space collaboration, and critical minerals.
Secretary Blinken emphasized the joint commitment to promoting a free, open, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific, particularly through the strengthening of the U.S.-India partnership within the Quad framework. He outlined the focus on reinforcing collaboration in international peace and security, working towards a rules-based order, and upholding principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.
Defense Minister Singh underscored the growing strategic alignment and increased defense cooperation in the bilateral relationship, emphasizing that defense collaboration remains a crucial pillar. He expressed India’s anticipation of close collaboration with the U.S. in various domains of capability building.
U.S. Defense Secretary Austin, in his opening statements, highlighted the significance of the two largest democracies exchanging views and finding common goals, particularly in the face of urgent global challenges. He stressed the importance of the strong ties between the nations, instilling hope for a more secure world through collaborative efforts.
The discussions touched upon various facets of the partnership, reflecting a commitment to advancing shared interests, promoting peace and security, and addressing global challenges.
