In first call to India, US Defence Secretary Llyod Austin pledges to build, consolidate ties

Newly appointed US defence secretary Llyod Austin and defence minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday discussed regional and global issues, including the China situation in the first top-level call to New Delhi after the new US administration took over, people familiar with the development said.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also spoke to his US counterpart Jake Sullivan, with both sides agreeing to work closely to further advance bilateral relations, which are “built on shared values and common strategic and security interests”.

Sources said the conversations were on a positive note, with the new US making it clear that bilateral cooperation will only increase, consolidating gains made in the past.

The India Pacific region, and particularly China, was a major component of the talks, sources said, adding that both sides vowed to take bilateral ties to highest levels.

“During the telephonic talk, they reaffirmed their commitment to work together to strengthen the multifaceted India-US defence cooperation and the strategic partnership,” a defence ministry spokesperson said, adding that the two sides discussed bilateral, regional and global issues.

While Beijing was not mentioned in the official release, sources said China formed a significant part of the conversation, with both sides discussing common interests on an open and inclusive region, and the ongoing situation along the Line of Actual Control.

That the first top-level engagement between the two sides took place between the security establishment reflects the growing defence ties between the two nations.

“NSA Doval underscored that as leading democracies, with an abiding faith in an open and inclusive world order, India and the US were uniquely positioned to work closely on regional and international issues, including combating the scourge of terrorism, maritime security, cyber security, and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,” the government said in a statement.

The larger perspective in South Block is that the bilateral relationship has gone beyond domestic politics and is anchored on common interests and understanding of global dynamics.