Rajnath discusses key strategic matters with US NSA Sullivan, Def Sec Austin

WASHINGTON: A day after signing two key agreements to further boost the comprehensive global strategic partnership between India and the United States, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and shared perspectives on "key " strategic matters of mutual interest.

Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a tour to Ukraine and other countries in the neighbourhood, Singh embarked on a four-day official visit to the US to further boost the comprehensive global strategic partnership between the two countries.

"Delighted to meet the National Security Advisor of the United States @jakesullivan and share perspectives on key strategic matters of mutual interest," Singh said in a post on X after his meeting on Friday.

He also had a "fruitful" exchange with leading US defence companies and invited them to work with Indian partners to accelerate the Make in India programme.

"Had fruitful interaction with leading US defence companies at the Defence Industry – Roundtable organised by @USISPF (US India Strategic Partnership Forum). Invited them to work with Indian partners to accelerate our Make in India programme towards achieving Atmanirbharta in defence sector. Together, Indian and US companies will co-develop and co-produce for the world," he said in another post.

"At a luncheon roundtable with USISPF Board members and leaders from the defence industry, the Defence Minister touched on the evolution of the US-India defence relationship, its phenomenal growth, and how the defence sector and investments from American companies will play a central part in India's growth story and vision 2047," USISPF said in a post on X.

It said that Singh "echoed building on the defence cooperation and elevating the strategic partnership through deeper defence engagements at multiple levels".

President and CEO of USISPF Mukesh Aghi said that Singh touched on the "evolution of the defence relationship and the strategic depth, where the private sector now plays an epochal role in driving deep defence synergy in new areas of critical and emerging technology, such as cyber, drones, AI, space, and quantum."

Earlier in the day, he met US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin to review and further deepen the existing defence cooperation activities between the two countries.

"Excellent meeting with my dear friend @SecDef Lloyd Austin. We reviewed the existing defence cooperation activities and discussed ways to deepen it further," Singh posted on X.

The signing of Security of Supply Arrangements and the agreement for positioning of Indian officers at key US commands are pathbreaking developments, he added.

The agreements signed on Thursday pertain to the Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA) and a Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers.

Singh also interacted with the Indian community during the visit.