Defence secretary Lloyd Austin Monday discussed Afghanistan's security situation with General Qamar Bajwa and expressed interest in building upon shared interests in the region.
In an hour-long meeting, both sides took stock of the ongoing Taliban peace talks, & the intra-Afghan dialogue in Afghanistan, along with the strategic situation in the Indo-Pacific.
The meeting comes after Austin held talks with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Jaishankar said he looks forward to working with Austin to enhance India-US strategic partnership.
Lloyd Austin is first US Secretary of Defense to include India on his maiden trip abroad. His visit begins Friday, and he’s set to meet PM Modi, Rajnath, Jaishankar, and NSA Doval.
The visit will take place keeping in mind Joe Biden govt’s larger foreign policy focus in which Indo-Pacific initiative plays a key role & hence Llyod’s deepening of ties with India is important.
Foreign policy experts may not prefer Biden’s choice Llyod Austin as head of US defence, but their concerns about the Indo-Pacific and China are overblown.
A theme has not yet emerged for BJP & people see lack of a contest, which makes it unexciting. For all these reasons, 2024 is turning out to be an unexpectedly theme-less election.
COMMENTS