Rajnath Singh discusses wide range of issues with his US counterpart

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of Defence Dr. Mark T. Esper on the sidelines of ADMM Plus yesterday at Bangkok.

Expressing happiness on the growing relationship between India and USA, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conveyed that the bilateral cooperation between the two sides has grown across a wide range of sectors including Defence and Security, Economy, Energy, Counter-Terrorism and People to People ties.

Defence Minister conveyed that there is growing convergence between India and USA on the Indo-Pacific region and India's vision is for Indo-Pacific is for a free and open, peaceful, prosperous and inclusive



region supported by a rules-based order and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. ASEAN is central to India's vision of Indo-Pacific. Both countries are working together in the area of Maritime security including elements such as joint exercises, HADR operations and Maritime Domain Awareness.

The two Ministers also had discussions on a number of other issues concerning regional security and bilateral defence cooperation.

The meeting ended on a positive note and Defence Minister looks forward to have substantial discussions during the forthcoming 2 plus 2 dialogue in Washington DC later next month.