Biden Admn to continue elevating defense partnership with India,says austin

President-elect Joe Biden's nominated  Defense Secretary retired Gen Lloyd Austin has said that the objective of the incoming Biden Administration is to continue elevating the US' defence partnership with India. Austin told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday. "I would further operationalise India's ''Major Defence Partner'' status and continue to build upon existing strong defense cooperation to ensure the US and Indian militaries can collaborate to address shared interests," Austin said in response to a question submitted before his confirmation hearing. Austin said he would also seek to deepen and broaden the defence cooperation between India and the US through the Quad security dialogue and other regional multilateral engagements.

About Pakistan, Austin said that Pakistan has taken constructive steps to meet US requests in support of the Afghanistan peace process. Pakistan has also taken steps against anti-Indian groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taeba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, although this progress is incomplete. "Many factors in addition to the security assistance suspension may impact Pakistan's cooperation, including Afghanistan negotiations and the dangerous escalation following the Pulwama terrorist attack," Austin said. 

If confirmed, Austin said he will press Pakistan to prevent its territory from being used as a sanctuary for militants and violent extremist organiz ations. "Continuing to build relationships with Pakistan's military will provide openings for the United St ates and Pakistan to cooperate on key issues," he said and added that  Pakistan is an essential partner in any peace process in Afghanistan. He will encourage a regional approach that garners support from neighbours like Pakistan, while also deterring regional actors from serving as spoilers to the Afghanistan peace process.