India and the U.S. underlined their commitment to boosting security ties on Friday as their top diplomats and defence chiefs met to discuss regional security, concerns with China and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Top diplomats and defence chiefs from India and the U.S. met in New Delhi on Friday to reinforce their commitment to enhancing security cooperation. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin engaged with their Indian counterparts to discuss a range of issues, including regional security, concerns related to China, and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Blinken emphasised the continuous deepening of collaboration between the U.S. and India across various domains, from emerging technologies to defence and people-to-people ties. The discussions aimed at aligning diplomatic efforts for a free, open, prosperous, and resilient Indo-Pacific region.
Addressing the crisis in the Middle East, Blinken appreciated India’s immediate condemnation of the attacks, highlighting the joint stance of both countries in standing with Israel against terrorists. Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar expressed significant concerns about the situation in the Middle East, balancing India’s condemnation of the Hamas attack on Israel with a call for talks leading to a sovereign, independent, and viable state of Palestine coexisting peacefully with Israel.
During the visit, Blinken met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reaffirming their shared vision for a close partnership in the Indo-Pacific. The discussions emphasised collaborative efforts to address ongoing global crises, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East.
Blinken said the U.S. and India were continuing to “deepen our collaboration on everything from emerging technologies to defence to people-to-people ties” and align diplomacy for “an Indo-Pacific region that’s free, that’s open, that’s prosperous, that’s resilient.”
Vinay Mohan Kwatra, India’s top bureaucrat in the foreign ministry, mentioned that tense ties with China were also discussed during the official-level talks, though specific details were not disclosed. The diplomatic talks aimed to showcase unity over Russia’s war in Ukraine and prevent deepening differences on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
This diplomatic engagement signifies the ongoing efforts of India and the U.S. to strengthen their strategic partnership and address critical geopolitical challenges.
