Rajnath Singh holds bilateral delegation level meeting with US counterpart Mark Esper

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral delegation level meeting with US counterpart Mark Esper yesterday. The two Ministers reviewed bilateral defence cooperation spanning military to military cooperation, secure communication systems and information sharing, defence trade and industrial issues. They also discussed ways to take bilateral cooperation forward.

 

Both Ministers also expressed satisfaction that agreement of BECA will be signed during the visit.  US Secretary of Defence welcomed Australia’s participation in the exercise MALABAR 2020.

 

Both the Ministers expressed satisfaction at the close engagements between the respective Armed Forces. They discussed potential new areas of cooperation, both at Service to Service level and at the joint level.

 

They called for continuation of existing defence dialogue mechanisms during the pandemic, at all levels, particularly the Military Cooperation Group. They also discussed requirements of expanding deployments of liaison



officers.

 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh elaborated upon the initiatives under the Atmanirbhar Bharart to encourage investments in the defence industry in India and invited US companies to make avail of the liberalized policies and the favorable Defence Industry ecosystem in India.

 

The Defence Minister said, India is delighted to host Secretary Esper. In a tweet, Mr Singh said, their talks were fruitful, and aimed at further deepening defence cooperation in a wide range of areas. He said, yesterday’s discussions will add new vigour to India-US defence relations and mutual cooperation.

 

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen. Manoj Naravane, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh were among those present during the delegation level bilateral meeting.

 

The US Defence Secretary also inspected the Tri- Service Guard of Honour at South Block Lawns in New Delhi.