New Delhi: US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin, who has visited India, has said that he has spoken with the Indian government ministers on the issue of human rights. Austin said that such dialogue between partners is important. When the US Defense Minister was asked if he had spoken with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the alleged discrimination against human rights violations, especially Muslims in the Northeast, he said, “I did not get a chance to talk to him about this.” I discussed this issue with other ministers.
“We had a comprehensive and fruitful discussion with Secretary Austin and his delegation. We are keen to work together to realise the full potential of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” Singh said after the meeting.
Austin is on a three-day visit to India starting Friday. Upon arrival, he had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Singh said that they reviewed the wide gamut of bilateral and multilateral exercises and agreed to pursue enhanced cooperation with the US Indo-Pacific Command, Central Command and Africa Command.
“Acknowledging that we have in place the foundational agreements, LEMOA, COMCASA and BECA, we discussed steps to be taken to realise their full potential for mutual benefit,” he said.
The minister pointed out that the recent Leaders’ Summit of India, the US, Japan and Australia under the Quad framework emphasised on the resolve to maintain a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
“We discussed the need for enhanced capacity building to address some of the non-traditional challenges such as oil spills and environmental disasters, drug trafficking, illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing and others,” Singh said.
India is committed to further consolidate robust defence partnership with the US, the minister said.
After the meeting, Austin first expressed condolences for the tragic accident that killed an Indian Air Force pilot earlier this week.
“Our hearts go out to his family and friends. His death reminds us of the risks our brave service men and women take each day to defend our democracies, our people, and our way of life,” Austin said.
The US Defence Secretary said that he had a productive discussion on a number of security issues which are important to both the countries.
“And at the top of my agenda, I wanted to convey the Biden-Harris administration’s message of our strong commitment to our allies and partners,” he said.
