CDS General Bipin Rawat, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin Discuss Enhanced Indo-US Cooperation In New Domains Including Space

The Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat met United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin during his first visit to the Pentagon.

In the meeting, which was described by the US as “historic”, the two sides exchanged views on priorities for advancing the defence partnership between the two countries.

India and US discussed enhanced cooperation in new defense domains such as space, cyber, and emerging technologies.

"They also discussed opportunities for expanding multilateral cooperation with regional partners," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said in readout of the meeting on Thursday (30 September).

"This historic meeting highlights the enduring strength of the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership as the two countries work in concert with like-minded partners to sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific," Kirby added.

India and the US have a close defence relationship with growing defence trade between them and joint military exercises, reports Hindustan Times.