The initially engagement involving the Defence and Security apparatus of President Joe Biden’s administration with Indian establishment inside days of it is swearing in shows the value and relevance of India in the changed safety narrative. “The new US administration would be looking at India’s strengths with reference to its relations with Afghanistan, Iran and its standing up to China’s hegemonic designs along the Indo-China border and emerging Quad security relationship,” says Brig NK Bhatia, Indian Army veteran.
On Wednesday Jan 27, 2021, defence minister Rajnath Singh received an introductory phone contact from the new US Secretary of Defence, General Lloyd Austin (Retd.).
What did they speak about?
In a contact which lasted for about 15-20 minutes, involving defence minister Rajnath Singh and the US Secretary of Defence Austin, each discussed bilateral, regional and worldwide troubles. And also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the multifaceted defence cooperation and also the strategic partnership involving the two.
Significance of the contact?
Indo-Pacific was the highlight of the phone contact, and the new US Secretary of Defence produced it clear that the US is conscious of India’s value keen to additional strengthen the relation as Stating that Gen. Austin calling just two days immediately after getting confirmed is substantial, the supply mentioned Indo-Pacific was the highlight of the conversation. And talked about India’s value in the area and is keen to additional strengthen partnership.
Another contact
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, on Wednesday January 27, 2021, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval as well had a phone contact with his US counterpart Jake Sullivan. Both agreed to expand the complete worldwide strategic partnership. And to also work with each other to address the challenges in the post-era. The NSA throughout the contact had underscored that as top democracies, with an abiding faith in an open and inclusive globe order, each the nations have been in a position to work with each other on each regional and international troubles like combating the scourge of terrorism, maritime safety, cyber safety and peace and stability inside the Indo-Pacific area and beyond.
India-US Defence Cooperation
TheSpuzz Online had lately reported about Gen Austin’s testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, exactly where he had talked about additional operationalizing India’s ‘Major Defence Partner’ status and to deepen and broaden defence cooperation via not only the Quad safety dialogue but other regional multilateral engagements.
And to continue developing on the current sturdy cooperation in defence which would assure that the militaries of each sides can address `shared interests’.
However, what is possibly a divergence of views with New Delhi on Pakistan, he had mentioned that Pakistan had taken “constructive steps” in the Afghanistan peace course of action. And talked about “Pakistan taking steps against anti-Indian groups, like LeT and JeM, though this progress is incomplete.”
Expert view
“The US would be keen to build on India’s strong relationship with the current Afghanistan government to break the impasse of stalled negotiations between Taliban and Ashraf Ghani led government,” says Brig NK Bhatia (retd).
The former Army officer who is an specialist in the area tells TheSpuzz Online, “Although new US administration has indicated to getting Pakistan on board to restore peace in Afghanistan, it nonetheless would be wary of negative role that Pakistan has played so far by wielding control over Taliban leadership and lack of forward movement in peace negotiations. The new administration would be keen to get India’s help to break the deadlock for peaceful resolution of situation.”
“From the Indian perspective the shaping of relations between the USA and Iran will set the tone for developments that will impact the security situation in the Middle East, Gulf and Afghanistan. India has maintained its relationship with Iran with tacit approval of the USA. India would surely play its part in improving the relations between two sides to bring stability to the region,” Brig Bhatia adds.
According to him, “Most importantly India has emerged as a strong rallying point to stand up to an aggressive China and hold against its expansionist designs that threatens peace and stability in South and SouthEast Asia. US would like to see India hold its own against China and also contribute towards the security of seas as part of the Quad connect.”
“The growing Indo-US security relationship is also a surety for receipt of high grade weapon platforms by India and build up on technology transfer in its quest for self-reliance in the field of defence,” he concludes.