Rajnath Singh: India-US are growing convergence of strategic interests

Rajnath Singh: India-US are growing convergence of strategic interests

India-usa two plus two meeting

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said in the recent India-US '2+2' dialogue and a conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the U.S. President Joe Biden have open the ground for more ambitious and strategic engagement between the two nation.

On Thursday Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said India and U.S. are growing convergence of strategic interests and both sides seek a peaceful and rules-based international order that safeguards the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the all countries.

In an address at the American Chamber of Commerce in India, Rajnath Singh said both India and the US share a same vision of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region.

He said "We are growing convergence of strategic interests as both countries seek a resilient, rules-based international order that safeguards sovereignty and territorial integrity, upholds democratic values and promotes peace and prosperity for all."

The defense minister Rajnath Singh also added that the India-US economic relation as one of the defining business relationships of the 21st century and said there has been a jump in bilateral trade over the last year, by surpassing USD 113 billion in goods.

He said "In the context of this increasing trade, the India-US Trade Policy Forum discussions to expand bilateral trade, remove market access barriers, and improve ease of business become increasingly important."

Rajnath Singh also said that the "defense pillar" of the India-USA relationship is stronger and growing. "It is built on foundational bilateral agreements, military to military engagements, cooperation in the enhancement of defense capabilities and now a new emphasis on co-development and co-production," he added.

"Of late, some of the US companies have expanded their local presence in partnership with Indian companies, producing in India, for India and for the world.However, we believe this is just a beginning," Defense Minster said. The India-US '2+2' dialogue was held in Washington on April 11. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attend the dialogue with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony J Blinken.

Ahead of the dialogue on that day, Prime Minister Modi and President Biden conduct a virtual meeting during the crisis in Ukraine figured prominently. "As we move forward to strengthen our relationship, I would like to emphasise the need to move from a buyer-seller relationship to one of partner nations and business partners," Rajnath Singh added.