India, US relations critical for ensuring free, rules-bound Indo-Pacific region: Rajnath Singh

The partnership between the two nations is "critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday.

Singh said that both nations find each other in agreement on strategic issues, including countering China's aggression.

Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar led the Indian delegation at the 2+2 ministerial talks in which the US side was led by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Singh said, "...The India-US defence relationship has evolved into a strategic partnership characterised by mutual trust, shared values, and a growing recognition of common interests in maintaining regional and global security. We increasingly find ourselves in agreement on strategic issues, including countering China's aggression, promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, and addressing regional security challenges.""We share a focus on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. Recognising the criticality of safeguarding vital sea lanes and promoting stability, our teams are working on substantive outcomes," Singh said.

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India and China have been engaged in a standoff for the past three years, with relations deteriorating at all levels due to tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The two sides have held 19 rounds of talks so far to address the boundary issues in eastern Ladakh since 2020, post-Chinese aggression there.

Defence Minister Singh further emphasised that the strategic convergence should guide both India and US to new domains, further expanding the collaboration.

With inputs from ANI.