Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s U.S. Visit: Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Advancing Global Partnership.

In an effort to further strengthen India’s relationship with the United States, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Washington on Thursday for a four-day visit. During this trip, he has scheduled bilateral meetings with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and will also meet with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. The primary goal of Singh’s visit is to bolster defense and security ties between the two nations. Upon arriving in Washington, Rajnath Singh met with members of the Indian diaspora and engaged in a dialogue with them. During this interaction, he highlighted India’s global policy and its ethical principles. He emphasized that India never engages in deceit or trickery against any country and always adheres to the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family). He stated that India’s history is a testament to the fact that it never resorts to deceit in its dealings with other nations. He also advised the diaspora to work with honesty and said they should be as dedicated to the United States as they are to India.

Addressing the Indian diaspora, the Defense Minister said, “You all should work with honesty and dedication. There should be dedication to India, but your loyalty to the United States should also remain unquestioned.” He added that Indians can only build a good image by working with honesty and integrity in their workplaces. He stressed that the people of India stay away from deceit, and the world should know that we never betray anyone. During his visit, Rajnath Singh also stated that India has given the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ to the world, which means “the whole world is one family.” He emphasized that India has always considered people of all castes, religions, and communities as one family, and this is its ethical principle. He said, “Our country is the one that has conveyed to the entire world that all people, regardless of their caste, religion, or community, are members of the same family.”

Speaking on the historical relationship between India and the U.S., the Defense Minister said that the meeting of these two countries is nothing short of destiny. He cited the example of Christopher Columbus, who set out in search of India but ended up in America, thus indicating the long-standing ties between the two nations. In recent times, several significant steps have been taken to strengthen the relationship between India and the United States. Following the fifth annual India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in November 2023, both countries have praised the progress made in bilateral defense initiatives. The U.S. has prepared a roadmap for India’s military modernization and defense industrial cooperation, committing to support India’s stance on the rule of law in the Arabian Sea and adjacent waterways.

In June this year, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan visited India. During this visit, several strategic, regional, and bilateral issues were discussed between New Delhi and Washington, including the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden in January 2023. This initiative aims to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries. The primary purpose of the Defense Minister’s visit is to further strengthen defense and security ties between India and the U.S. During this visit, various aspects of bilateral defense cooperation will be discussed, and new defense agreements may be signed. This visit could be a significant step in further solidifying the strategic partnership between India and the U.S.

The strengthening relationship between India and the U.S. is a sign that both countries are moving towards an important partnership for global security and stability. Rajnath Singh’s visit is expected to deepen the ties between the two nations and provide a new direction in the field of global security.”

By Neelam singh.