India-US forces are accelerating operational activities for maritime security: Lloyd Austin – Dainik Savera Times

Washington: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told lawmakers that by enhancing the capabilities of the Indian military, the two countries can work together to maintain a more stable balance of power in the broader Indo-Pacific region. He also told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during a congressional hearing this week on the Defense Department’s annual budget that the US and Indian militaries are intensifying operational activities to promote maritime security in the Indian Ocean.

“By enhancing the Indian military’s capabilities, we can work together to maintain a more stable balance of power in the broader Indo-Pacific,” Austin said. With this budget request, we are opening a new chapter in the US-India relationship under our premier defense partnership.” The Defense Minister said, ”Our forces will conduct joint exercises to promote maritime security in the Indian Ocean. , accelerating information-sharing and other operational activities.

Austin said, ‘We are committed to ensuring that the growing US-India partnership supports the efforts of our broad network of allies and partners, especially the quadrilateral security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan and the United States.’ In a separate congressional hearing on the Indo-Pacific, Admiral John C. Aquilino, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, told lawmakers that a strong US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is important for a free and open Indo-Pacific amid China’s aggressive moves in the region. Is necessary.

Aquilino also told lawmakers that in 2021, amid its long-running border dispute with India, China passed a land border law, “claiming that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People’s Republic of China is sacred and is unbreakable” and provides a legal framework for greater involvement of the People’s Liberation Army in border security.