US Defence Secy Lloyd Austin Calls on PM Modi, Conveys President Biden's Greetings US Secretary of Defence Lloyd James Austi...

US Defence Secy Lloyd Austin Calls on PM Modi, Conveys President Biden's Greetings

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd James Austin III, who arrived in New Delhi for a three-day visit to India earlier on Friday, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the latter’s office said in a press release.

Austin conveyed greetings of US President Joe Biden to Modi, said the PMO.

Modi “welcomed the warm and close relationship between the two countries, which is rooted in shared values of democracy, pluralism and commitment to a rules-based order”, said the release. The PMO said Modi also outlined his vision for the strategic partnership between the India and US, and emphasised the important role of bilateral defence cooperation.

The PM asked Austin to convey his best wishes to Biden.