Rajnath Singh and Lloyd Austin concluded a roadmap for US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation which shall guide the policy direction for the next few years.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the partnership between India and the US "critical" for ensuring a "free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region."
The US Defence Secretary, who arrived in India a day ago on a two day long visit earlier today inspected the Tri-Services Guard of Honour in the presence of Defence Minister at the Manekshaw Centre in the national capital.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hold a meeting with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin and German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius next week, according to the Ministry of Defence press release.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that India is not an emerging but a resurgent power that is regaining its place on the global economic map under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During an interaction with reporters in Uttar Pradesh, the Union Minister said, "National Democratic alliance will form the government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi when Lok Sabha elections are held in 2024".
Rajnath Singh was in Abuja to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the President of Nigeria Bola Tinubu. Nigeria is home to more than 50,000 Indians. Indian-owned/operated companies and businesses are among the largest employers in Nigeria.
The Defence Minister's visit to the West African nation is seen as an important landmark in building the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been sworn in as the country's new President despite political unrest and a legal challenge to his election from the country's opposition, CNN reported.