Rajnath Singh, US Defence Secretary talk ways to fight terror

Tribune News Service

Advertisement

New Delhi, September 20

In what is the first officially declared ministerial-level contact between India and the US since Washington announced forming of a new ‘security alliance’, the Secretary of Defence General Lloyd Austin made a telephone call to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday evening.

Also read: Modi-Biden bilateral meet will strengthen India-US relation, boost QUAD, says White House official

Editorial: No rush to recognise Taliban: India makes stance clear, wants visible change first

Singh and Austin discussed bilateral and regional matters, including developments in Afghanistan. They discussed defence cooperation and looked forward to working closely, a statement of the Ministry of Defence said. The duo also exchanged views about combating terrorism in the region. Both sides appreciated the mutual cooperation in the recent evacuation operations in Afghanistan.

Opinions page: US-Pak ties at the crossroads after Afghanistan pullout

The call from Austin came four days after the US, on September 16, announced a ‘security alliance’ in the Indo-Pacific with Britain and Australia as its partners. The alliance will allow for greater sharing of defence capabilities, including nuclear submarines for Australia.