Biden Admin plans to continue elevating defense partnership with India, says Rtd Gen Austin

objective of incoming Biden ministration is to continue elevating US' defense partnership with India, Defense Secretary minee told lawmakers. “If confirmed, my overarching objective for our defense relationship with India would be to continue elevating partnership,” retired Gen. Lloyd Austin told members of Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday. President-elect Joe Biden has minated him as his Defense Secretary.

“I would furr operationalise India’s 'Major Defense Partner' status and continue to build upon existing strong defense cooperation to ensure US and Indian militaries can collaborate to dress shared interests,” Austin said in response to a question submitted before his confirmation hearing.

He said he would also seek to deepen and broen defense cooperation between India and US through Qu security dialogue and or regional multilateral engments. Austin said his understanding is that Pakistan has taken constructive steps to meet US requests in support of Afghanistan peace process. Pakistan has also taken steps against anti-Indian groups, such as Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, although this progress is incomplete, he said.

“Many factors in dition to security assistance suspension may impact Pakistan’s cooperation, including Afghanistan negotiations and dangerous escalation following Pulwama terrorist attack,” Austin said.

President Donald Trump h suspended all financial and security aid to Pakistan in 2018 citing lack of cooperation from Islamab in fight against terrorism. If confirmed, Austin said he will press Pakistan to prevent its territory from being used as a sanctuary for militants and violent extremist organizations. “Continuing to build relationships with Pakistan’s military will provide openings for United States and Pakistan to cooperate on key issues,” he said.

Austin said he will focus on shared interests which include training future Pakistan military leers through use of International Military Education and Training funds. Pakistan will play an important role in any political settlement in Afghanistan. “We also need to work with Pakistan to defeat al-Qaeda and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) and to enhance regional stability,” he said.

Observing that Pakistan is an essential partner in any peace process in Afghanistan, Austin said that if confirmed, he will encour a regional approach that garners support from neighbours like Pakistan, while also deterring regional actors from serving as spoilers to Afghanistan peace process.