US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s Visit to India: Strengthening Defense Ties with Rajnath Singh

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin is set to make his ninth official visit to the Indo-Pacific region, commencing with a significant visit to India. During his visit, he will engage in crucial discussions with his Indian counterpart, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, focusing on expanding defense industrial cooperation, enhancing interoperability, and fostering innovation through the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X). Austin will also join the fifth 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, accompanied by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Following his engagements in India, Austin will proceed to South Korea, where he will meet with Defense Minister Shin Wonsik and other senior South Korean leaders. This visit will include the 55th annual Security Consultative Meeting and the inaugural ROK-UN Command Member States Defense Ministerial Meeting, reinforcing the unwavering US commitment to extended deterrence in the region. The Defense Secretary will also commemorate Veterans Day by connecting with soldiers who have contributed to peace and security in the region.

Austin’s tour will conclude in Indonesia, where he will participate in the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus. In Jakarta, he will hold an ASEAN-United States Informal Meeting to explore opportunities for enhancing ASEAN-US security cooperation one year after the elevation of the ASEAN-US relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Meetings with regional counterparts will reaffirm the US’s dedication to collaborating with allies and partners in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

This visit marks Austin’s fourth trip to the Indo-Pacific this year, demonstrating the United States’ ongoing commitment to its regional allies and the pursuit of a shared vision of peace, stability, and prosperity. The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue remains a key diplomatic event for India and the United States, fostering strategic cooperation and addressing common concerns. This visit is particularly significant as both countries seek to strengthen their strategic partnership, with India aiming to secure advanced technology for indigenous weapon systems and discussions around military hardware cooperation. Notably, the recent USD 3 billion deal for supplying 31 MQ-9B Predator drones to the Indian defense forces and the potential sale of six additional P-8I surveillance planes will likely be part of the agenda during these discussions.