US, India edge closer together on defence cooperation

The United States and India have reached agreements on the development of cooperation in the defence sector on a wide range of issues.

Interfax reports citing the Pentagon that India's Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Subramanyam Jaishankar welcomed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin for the fifth US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi.

"Building on the momentum of the bilateral relationship, the four leaders agreed to continue to advance all elements of a major defence partnership," the US Defence Ministry said in a statement.

In meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar, Austin discussed priorities in bilateral relations and global developments of concern.

The Pentagon chief's meeting with Singh took note of the "incredible progress on the new roadmap for US-India defence industrial cooperation" signed in June.

This included the purchase of US engines for Indian Air Force combat aircraft. In addition, the parties discussed the supply of US drones worth $3 billion.

The US offered to supply India with armoured vehicles and New Delhi expressed interest in such an idea.