Rajnath's US visit | Relationship with India remains one of great importance: Pentagon

Washington, Aug 16 (PTI) US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to host his Indian counterpart, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, at the Pentagon on August 23.

“The relationship with India remains one of great importance. It's one of great importance to the Indo-Pacific as well. There's a visit coming up and when we have more to share on that, we certainly will,” Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters at a news conference here on Thursday.

During the meet, the two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, as well as ways to strengthen ties between the world’s two largest democracies.

Sabrina Singh did not share details of the meeting, saying “I'm not going to get ahead of the secretary or any meetings that he's doing”.

“As always, we will have a readout of his meeting. I just don't have more to provide on the front end, but we will on the back end, as we always do,” she added.

The Pentagon official underscored that India and the US share a very strong military relationship.

“The (defense) secretary, you know, visited India on one of his trips to the Indo-Pacific. India is an important partner when it comes to the Indo-Pacific and much of the NDS (National Defense Strategy) that continues to guide. This department is focused on the Indo-Pacific and our pacing challenge of China and India has shown to be a great partner in that. So, our military to military relationship is strong,” Sabrina Singh said.

Rajnath Singh is the highest-ranking Indian cabinet minister scheduled to visit the United States since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sworn in for his third term in June this year. PTI