Rajnath Singh and Pete Hegseth Discuss Strengthening US-India Defence Partnership
Rajnath Singh and Pete Hegseth Discuss Strengthening US-India Defence Partnership
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently held an introductory call to reaffirm their commitment to the US-India Major Defence Partnership. The leaders focused on enhancing operational cooperation and advancing defence industrial and technological collaboration to deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the call, both leaders agreed to pursue an ambitious agenda to accelerate cooperation. The US Department of Defence stated that Secretary Hegseth looks forward to the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue and concluding the next ten-year US-India Defense Framework this year.
Rajnath Singh expressed his enthusiasm for expanding India-US defence ties, highlighting the importance of operational, intelligence, logistics, and defence-industrial cooperation. The India-US defence relationship is based on the 'New Framework for India-US Defence Cooperation,' renewed in 2015 for ten years, and designated as a Major Defence Partnership in 2016.
The partnership includes regular bilateral dialogue, military exercises, and defence procurements. The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, co-chaired by the Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Defence of India and the US Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, guides political, military, and strategic issues. The fifth dialogue took place in November 2023 in New Delhi.
Key defence agreements include the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (2016), Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (2018), Industrial Security Agreement (2019), and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (2020).
Doubts Revealed
Rajnath Singh
Rajnath Singh is an Indian politician who is currently serving as the Defence Minister of India. He is responsible for managing the country's defense and military affairs.
Pete Hegseth
Pete Hegseth is a television host and former military officer, but in this context, it seems there might be a mix-up. The US Secretary of Defence is actually Lloyd Austin, not Pete Hegseth.
US-India Major Defence Partnership
This is a special relationship between the United States and India to work together on defense and military matters. It involves sharing technology, conducting joint military exercises, and having regular discussions to improve security.
Indo-Pacific region
The Indo-Pacific region is a large area that includes the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean. It is important for trade and security, and many countries, including India and the US, work together to keep it safe.
2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is a meeting where the defense and foreign ministers of two countries, like India and the US, come together to discuss important issues. It helps strengthen their partnership and cooperation.
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