US visit of Indian Defence chief proved historic: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin

Washington: – US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, claimed that the visit of Indian Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, to the Pentagon was historic. Secretary of Defense Austin himself posted his reaction on social media. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the two sides had an in-depth discussion on defence partnership, space, cyber sector and emerging military technology.

Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, visited the United States on September 30. During the visit, General Rawat had a meeting with US Chief of Defense Staff General Mark Milley. General Rawat also held talks with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Prime Minister Narendra Modi just finished his US tour. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden. The issue of strategic and military cooperation between the two countries was at the forefront. The Indian media has underlined that General Rawat visited the United States just after the Prime Minister’s visit.

From his discussions with General Rawat, it was clear that both countries were committed to an independent and free Indo-Pacific region. US Secretary of Defense Austin also said that they had discussed with Rawat the necessary coordination between the defence forces of the two countries for conducting joint operations. Pentagon spokesman, Kirby, said the United States would support efforts for unification and carrying out joint operations by the Indian defence forces. Kirby said the two leaders also discussed ways to make the security cooperation with other countries more comprehensive.

Meanwhile, it has become clear that the Taliban, who have come to power in Afghanistan, have not given up on terrorism. There are also alarming reports that the Taliban has maintained relations with terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda. This poses a threat to the whole world and raises concerns that the United States also has become insecure. In such a scenario, the US wants to set up bases in Afghanistan’s neighbours to launch attacks on terrorists in Afghanistan. The US had demanded that from Pakistan. US Secretary of State Blinken had also said that discussions were underway with India on the issue. But India has not reacted in this regard. Some have argued that the matter will be discussed during the defence chief’s visit to the United States. But no information has come to light yet. At the same time, some Pakistani journalists have expressed concern that leaders and defence chiefs from both countries concurred to teach a lesson to Pakistan during their US visits. The journalists warned that the two countries might soon initiate a joint action against Pakistan.