Image Source : AP In this Sept. 16, 2015, photograph, U.S. Central Command Commander Gen. Lloyd Austin III, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington
Biden administration plans to proceed elevating the Indo-US protection partnership, Defense Secretary nominee has informed lawmakers. Retired General Lloyd Austin, throughout his affirmation listening to on Tuesday, informed members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, “If confirmed, my overarching goal for our protection relationship with India can be to proceed elevating the partnership.”
President-elect Joe Biden has nominated him as his Defense Secretary.
“I would further operationalise India’s ‘Major Defense 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 mentioned in response to a query submitted earlier than his affirmation listening to.
He mentioned he would additionally search to deepen and broaden the protection cooperation between India and the US via the Quad safety dialogue and different regional multilateral engagements.
Austin mentioned his understanding is that Pakistan has taken constructive steps to satisfy US requests in assist of the Afghanistan peace course of.
Pakistan has additionally taken steps towards anti-Indian teams, corresponding to Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, though this progress is incomplete, he mentioned.
“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 mentioned.
President Donald Trump had suspended all of the monetary and safety assist to Pakistan in 2018 citing an absence of cooperation from Islamabad within the combat towards terrorism.
If confirmed, Austin mentioned he’ll press Pakistan to stop its territory from getting used as a sanctuary for militants and violent extremist organizations.
“Continuing to construct relationships with Pakistan’s army will present openings for the United States and Pakistan to cooperate on key points,” he mentioned.
Austin mentioned he’ll deal with the shared pursuits which embrace coaching future Pakistan army leaders via the usage of International Military Education and Training funds.
Pakistan will play an necessary position in any political settlement in Afghanistan.
“We also need to work with Pakistan to defeat al-Qaeda and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) and to enhance regional stability,” he mentioned.
Observing that Pakistan is a necessary associate in any peace course of in Afghanistan, Austin mentioned that if confirmed, he’ll encourage a regional strategy that garners assist from neighbours like Pakistan, whereas additionally deterring regional actors from serving as spoilers to the Afghanistan peace course of.
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