CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, Lloyd Austin discuss advancing defense partnership between India, US

They exchanged views on defence domains like space, cyber, and emerging technologies. 

Washington: Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed on priorities for advancing the defense partnership between two countries.

They exchanged views on defence domains like space, cyber, and emerging technologies.

In his maiden trip to the US since assuming the charge as CDS, Gen Rawat discussed opportunities for expanding multilateral cooperation with regional partners.

“Secretary Austin underscored the US commitment to supporting the Indian Armed Forces’ transition toward greater institutional integration and operational jointness,” US Department of Defence said. 

This historic meeting highlights the enduring strength of the US-India Major Defense Partnership as the two countries work in concert with like-minded partners to sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific, it said.

Earlier, he also met his US counterpart Gen Mark Milley and also deliberated on a number of issues, including ways to ensure region security. 

In a readout on the meeting Joint Staff Spokesperson Col Dave Butler said, “The two leaders agreed to continued cooperation in training exercises and creating more opportunities to increase interoperability between the two militaries.”

They also agreed to continued cooperation in training exercises and creating more opportunities to increase interoperability between the two forces, Col Butler said.