US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin Holds Bilateral Talks With Union Minister Rajnath Singh: In Pics

US Secretary of Defence on Sunday arrived for a two-day visit to India and held bilateral talks with Union defence minister Rajnath Singh in the national capital.

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J Austin in New Delhi

US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd J Austin on Sunday arrived for a two-day visit. Image Source: Ministry of Defence (MoD)

Austin and Union defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday held bilateral talks. Image Source: MoD

Both leaders discussed strengthening the Defense partnership between the two countries. Image Source: MoD

The United States Secretary of Defence inspected the Tri-Service Guard of Honour in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the national capital. Image Source: MoD

Austin and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were expected to discuss a number of new defence cooperation projects that will be unveiled after Modi's meeting with President Joe Biden in Washington two weeks later. Image Source: MoD

The Pentagon said this week that Austin will deepen the US-India 'Major Defence Partnership' as the two countries' ties enter a "new and exciting chapter." Image Source: MoD

General Electric's proposal to share fighter jet engine technology with India, as well as India's plan to purchase 30 MQ-9B armed drones from US defence major General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) for more than USD 3 billion, were likely to be discussed during the talks. Image Source: MoD

The US Defence Secretary arrived in India from Singapore on Sunday for a two-day visit, according to the defence ministry. Image Source: MoD

This is Austin's second visit to India. His last trip to India was in March of 2021. Image Source: MoD