Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Washington on Thursday evening for a four-day visit at the invitation of US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. Singh’s visit aims to bolster the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and includes key meetings with US Secretary of Defence Austin and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
During his visit, Singh will participate in a high-level roundtable with the US defense industry to discuss current and future defense collaborations. He will also address the Indian community in Washington, praising the growing strength of India-US relations and urging Indian expatriates to remain committed to both nations.
Significant agreements signed during the visit include the Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA) and a Memorandum of Agreement on Liaison Officers, which are designed to ensure reciprocal support for defense supplies and address supply chain disruptions.
Singh’s visit follows recent progress in defense and strategic cooperation, including the fifth annual India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in November 2023. The India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) continues to drive joint defense technology innovation, while the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden in January 2023, remains a cornerstone of deepening the strategic partnership.
The visit highlights ongoing collaboration and mutual support in defense and technology between the two countries, emphasizing their shared commitment to global peace and prosperity.