US News: India-US Navy can work together in maritime security: Lloyd Austin

• US and Indian Navy to promote maritime security in the Indian Ocean
• Beginning of a new chapter in US-India relations under defense agreements
• To accelerate transportation activities to promote maritime security

USA News: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, while giving a statement in front of the lawmakers, has given an important statement regarding the Indian Navy and the US Navy. He said 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.

During a congressional hearing this week on the Defense Department’s annual budget, members of the Senate Armed Services Committee also said the U.S. and Indian navies are intensifying transportation operations to strengthen maritime security in the Indian Ocean, he said.

By enhancing the capabilities of the Indian military, we can work together to maintain a more stable balance of power in the broader Indo-Pacific, Austin said. With this budget request, we begin a new chapter in the US-India relationship under our key defense agreements.

The Defense Minister said, ‘Our forces are intensifying joint exercises, information sharing and other transportation activities to promote maritime security in the Indian Ocean.

Austin said, “We are committed to ensuring that the growing US-India partnership supports the efforts of our broader network of allies and partners, particularly the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue between Australia, India, Japan and the US.”

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 partnership for a free and independent Indo-Pacific is needed amid China’s aggressive moves in the region. Comprehensive global strategic partnerships are important.

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 sacrosanct. and is inviolable’ and also provides a legal provision. Framework for greater involvement of the People’s Liberation Army in border security.