Rajnath Singh holds bilateral meeting with US Secretary of Defence in Cambodia

Phnom Penh: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of Defence  Lloyd Austin in Siem Reap, Cambodia on Tuesday. Mr Singh and Mr Austin are in Cambodia to attend the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus meeting. Both the Ministers discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest while expressing their commitment to a strong India-US defence cooperation. 

Mr Singh emphasised the need for working together by both the countries for capability building in military aviation, artificial intelligence, cyber technology and other critical domains. He looked forward to building a roadmap towards greater defence industrial collaboration between India and the US. 

Mr Singh highlighted



India’s growing expertise in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul and ship-building, repairs and refits. He suggested specific areas where US defence companies can look for technology cooperation and manufacturing opportunities with Indian partners in India. Secretary Austin welcomed the suggestions and assured him of cooperation in this regard.

The two leaders expressed their commitment towards an inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific with freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded trade. They further discussed initiatives that can be taken to strengthen maritime cooperation between the two countries, including in maritime domain awareness. Both leaders also shared their perspectives on the regional security situation.