Amid the rising tensions between India and China, US secretary of defense Lloyd Austin issued a statement on Saturday stating, Washington never believed that India and China were on the threshold of war at the height of tensions during their border standoff in eastern Ladakh, reported TOI.
Austin was asked if US ever thought that a war between India and China was imminent. The top US official said: “No, to my knowledge we had never considered that India and China were on the threshold of war.”
During a recent media briefing in the national capital, Washington, the US secretary of defense was asked about Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific. He reportedly said that the Joe Biden administration would like to work with like-minded countries such as India, Australia, and Japan to ensure peace-stability and maintain “freedom of navigation” in the region.
Had a productive meeting with @RajnathSingh. The U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership is a stronghold of a free & open Indo-Pacific. I am confident our strategic partnership will reach new heights as we advance new areas of cooperation, including space & cyber domains. pic.twitter.com/NXJViilqwk
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) March 20, 2021
“We are doing the right things to promote peace and stability in the region and would like to work together for a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” said the Pentagon chief.
The report also suggests that India, US, Australia, and Japan are part of the Quad alliance, which is seen as a counterweight to China. Critics say that the alliance flexes its military muscle in the South China Sea, East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and along its northern border with India.
Commenting over the alliance, China called the Quad an attempt to contain its ambitions.
When asked, whether US is considering sanctions on India over its S-400 missile deal with Russia, Austin replied that nothing is on the table yet.
“They have not acquired an S-400 system (from Russia) so there is no reason for sanctions to be on the table,” he said, adding that Washington is aware of India’s interest in the military deal but nothing has been delivered yet.
In a conversation held on Saturday, the US secretary of defense hosted an extensive dialogue with defense minister Rajnath Singh and said elevating the Indo-US defense partnership is a “priority” of the Biden administration.
India, in particular, is an increasingly important partner amid today’s rapidly shifting international dynamics. I reaffirmed our commitment to a comprehensive and forward-looking defense partnership with India as a central pillar of our approach to the region. pic.twitter.com/PuEu0GNHm2
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) March 20, 2021
The recent TOI report suggests, Austin called India an increasingly important partner amid rapidly shifting international dynamics and mentioned that the Asian subcontinent is a “central pillar” in Washington’s approach towards the region.
“I reaffirmed our commitment to a comprehensive and forward-looking defense partnership with India as a central pillar of our approach to the region,” US secretary of defense Lloyd Austin said.
The US defense secretary arrived in New Delhi late Friday and held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
Pleasure to meet U.S. @SecDef Lloyd Austin today. Conveyed my best wishes to @POTUS @JoeBiden. India and US are committed to our strategic partnership that is a force for global good. pic.twitter.com/Z1AoGJlzFX
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 19, 2021
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby addressed Austin-PM Modi’s meet and mentioned that the US secretary of defense, has “commended India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific and growing engagement with like-minded partners across the region to promote shared goals,” TOI further reported.