India's Defence Minister praises the increasing relationship between India and the US.

Washington: During his four-day visit to the United States at the invitation of US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Indian diaspora in Washington DC and praised the growing strength of India-US relations. He emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural values and loyalty to both India and the United States, and hailed the country's message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. Singh highlighted the integrity and honesty inherent in Indian culture and urged Indians working in the US to remain dedicated to their work and uphold their commitment to both nations.

In his address on Thursday, Singh stated, "You should always be dedicated to India, but your commitment to America should also not be doubted." He further stressed the Indian philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' noting that India views all global communities as one family, rooted in its spiritual heritage. The Union Minister had a lively interaction with the Indian community in Washington DC and was heartened to see how they continue to cherish and uphold their cultural values while maintaining their connection to their roots.

Singh also pointed out the rapid transformation India has undergone over the past decade, which has significantly enhanced its global stature. During his visit, two significant defence agreements were signed between the US Department of Defense and the Indian Ministry of Defence - the Security of Supplies Arrangement and a Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers. These agreements aim to ensure reciprocal priority support for national defence goods and services, as well as to mitigate supply chain disruptions. Both countries also pledged to prioritize each other's critical defence procurement needs.

The Union Minister's four-day visit also includes a high-level roundtable with the US defence industry to discuss ongoing and future defence collaborations. He is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Secretary Austin and meet with Jake Sullivan, the US Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. This visit comes after the progress made during the fifth annual India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in November 2023, where Washington reaffirmed its support for India's military modernisation and strengthening of maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean Region.

The India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem continues to facilitate joint defence technology innovation and co-production between the two countries. They have also been engaged in ongoing discussions under the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden in January 2023. The iCET is seen as a pivotal element in deepening the strategic partnership between India and the United States. As Singh's visit comes to an end, the strong bond between the two nations is evident, and their commitment to promoting global peace and prosperity is unwavering.

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