On Thursday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin touched down in New Delhi for a two-day visit ahead of the November 9–10 5th India–US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. Rajnath Singh, his Indian counterpart, greeted him. Austin is scheduled to visit Korea and Indonesia after his trip to India. He will have visited the Indo-Pacific region nine times. In observance of the US Secretary of Defense’s visit, Austin was also accorded the guard of honor.
“Wheels up at @Andrews_JBA en route to India, the Republic of Korea and Indonesia,” the Defence Secretary posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
“My 9th visit to the Indo-Pacific comes as the US, along with our allies and partners, continue to make historic progress toward a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he added.
Moreover, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will also arrive in New Delhi tomorrow to participate in the 5th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, taking place on November 10 here in the national capital.
Speaking about Blinken’s visit to India, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department Vedant Patel stated: “We have a deep partnership with India.” Along with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, he (Blinken) will attend the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. It goes without saying that one of the many things that will be discussed will be strengthening the security cooperation in partnership.”
The dialogue will provide a platform for top-level discussions between the US and India, addressing critical bilateral and global matters, with special emphasis on developments unfolding in the Indo-Pacific region.
US State Secretary Blinken and Defence Secretary Austin will meet with their Indian counterparts, Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar and Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh, as well as other senior officials.