On Friday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appeared to deviate from the usual practice when he suggested that Chinese aggression is driving closer ties between the US and India.
"The India-US defence relationship has evolved into a strategic partnership characterised by mutual trust, shared values, and a growing recognition of common interests in maintaining regional and global security," he said during talks with visiting US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in New Delhi.
In remarks carried by Indian media, he said: "We increasingly find ourselves in agreement on strategic issues, including countering China's aggression, promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, and addressing regional security challenges."
He made the comments during bilateral defence talks in New Delhi on Friday, the same day that the fifth edition of the annual 2+2 ministerial dialogue, a format involving talks between the foreign and defence ministers of India and the US, was held.
In recent years, India has thrown off all hesitation in aligning with the US, amid border disputes with China and the growing Chinese presence in India's neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean.
This story is from the November 12, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the November 12, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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