US Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin attends the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore on June 1, 2024. | Photograph credit score: Reuters
Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin mentioned on June 1 that ties between the US and India are based mostly on a standard imaginative and prescient and values and that the momentum within the relationship won’t solely proceed however speed up.
Mr Austin’s feedback got here whereas responding to a delegate’s query on the Shangri La Dialogue about bilateral relations.
The Shangri La Dialogue, held yearly in Singapore, is Asia’s premier protection summit.
“The connection we now get pleasure from with India is nearly as good or higher than what we’ve had to this point,” he instructed delegates.
“We’re co-producing armored automobiles with India,” he mentioned, including that good progress has been made on the mission.
US-India relations are based mostly on a standard imaginative and prescient and values. “So, I feel the momentum we see won’t solely proceed however, in some unspecified time in the future, speed up.” In his speech on the Indo-Pacific area, Mr. Austin mentioned: “Along with our buddies within the area, we’re breaking down nationwide boundaries and higher integrating our protection trade.” America will proceed to play a significant function within the Indo-Pacific area. Peaceable, he assured.
The Indo-Pacific is a biogeographic area comprising the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, together with the South China Sea. China claims virtually the whole South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all declare elements of it.
America, India and several other different world powers have been speaking about the necessity to guarantee a free, open and affluent Indo-Pacific within the context of China’s rising navy assertiveness within the resource-rich area.
Mr. Austin additionally knowledgeable delegates that the American protection trade is integrating with that of nations within the area, together with Japan.
“Collectively we’re investing in capabilities that promote lasting safety and stability. And collectively we’re guaranteeing that the Indo Pacific will stay protected.” He underscored why the US maintains a presence within the area and can proceed to make the mandatory investments via its engagement with allies and companions.
“We persistently hyperlink our investments to our technique…America has devoted a historic quantity of assets to sustaining the Indo-Pacific.
“America can solely be protected if Asia is protected and that’s the reason the US has lengthy maintained its presence on this area,” he careworn.