According to US President Joe Biden’s nomination for defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, the United States will continue to build on “strong defence cooperation” with India and ensure enhanced cooperation between the two armed powers on common interests.
Responding to the Senate Armed Forces Committee’s questions, Austin said,”I would further operationalise India’s ‘major defence partner’ status and continue to build upon existing strong defence cooperation to ensure the US and Indian militaries can collaborate to address shared interests.”
It can be remembered that in 2016, when Barack Obama was president and Biden was the vice president, India won the ‘big defence ally’ status from the United States.
If confirmed, it will be my ultimate goal for our defense relationship with India to continue to boost the partnership,”If confirmed, my overarching objective for our defence relationship with India would be to continue elevating the partnership,”
In partnership with India, Austin also brought a multilateral aspect to the table by mentioning the
“I would also seek to deepen and broaden our defence cooperation through the Quad security dialogue and other regional multilateral engagements,” he said.
During Trump’s presidency, the Quad was resurrected and received a boost in its pivot to the Indo-Pacific as challenges to regional partners from China developed.
Lloyd Austin is a retired U.S. Army general, and he will require a permit from Congress to become defense secretary, as U.S. rules forbid former generals from holding office for seven years following their retirement.
‘Biden respects US-India relationship’
The White House Press Secretary released a statement saying that President Biden, who has visited India several times, of course, supports and values the long-standing successful bipartisan partnership between Indian and US politicians. He looks forward to seeing it continue, he added.
“The first Indian American to serve as President or Vice President is certainly a historic moment for all of us in this country and a further cementing of the importance of our relationship,” further read the statement.