Rajnath In Meeting With Austin, Pitches Aircraft Maintenance Expertise

NEW DELHI (IANS) – Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on November 22 met his US counterpart Lloyd Austin in Cambodia’s Siem Reap, and apprised him about India’s expertise in aircraft maintenance, shipbuilding, repairs as he suggested that US companies can look for manufacturing opportunities in India.

During the meeting with Austin, he looked forward to building a roadmap toward greater defense industrial collaboration between their countries. Highlighting India’s growing expertise in aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul and shipbuilding, repairs, and refits, he suggested specific areas where US defense companies can look for technology cooperation and manufacturing opportunities with Indian partners in India.

Austin welcomed the suggestions and assured him of cooperation in this regard, the officials added.

According to Defense Ministry officials, they also discussed initiatives that can be taken to strengthen maritime cooperation between the two countries including in maritime domain awareness. Both leaders also shared their perspectives on the regional security situation.

Rajnath Singh and Austin are in Cambodia to attend the 9th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus meeting.