US Defence Secretary Austin to visit India next week

According to an official statement released by the US Department of Defence, US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin III will embark on a four-nation trip that will include India beginning next week.

His four-nation trip begins in Tokyo, where he will meet with Japanese Defence Minister Yasukasu Hamada and other senior leaders, as well as visit US troops stationed there. Following the historic US-Japan “2+2” Ministerial meeting earlier this year, Secretary Austin’s visit comes as the US and Japan take important steps to modernise Alliance capabilities, optimise US force posture, and build links with like-minded partners.

Later, Secretary Austin will travel to Singapore to deliver plenary remarks at the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

On the fringes of the Dialogue, the Secretary will meet with key regional leaders to advance US defence partnerships in support of our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, anchored in ASEAN centrality.

Secretary Austin will travel to India after completing his trip to Singapore. At the third stop, New Delhi, he will meet with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other leaders as the US-India Major Defence Partnership is modernised.

This visit provides an opportunity to accelerate new defence innovation and industrial cooperation initiatives, as well as to drive ongoing efforts to expand operational cooperation between the United States and India’s militaries.

Secretary Austin will end his trip in France, where he will take part in events commemorating the 79th anniversary of D-Day and meet with French and British defence leaders.