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| US SecDef: Ash Carter |
By: Vivek Raghuvanshi
NEW DELHI — Outgoing US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter has described India as a major defense partner during his opening remarks Thursday at a meeting with his Indian counterpart.
The designation is unique to India, according to a joint statement from the two countries, and reiterates their efforts to further strengthen relations "to a level at par with that of the United States’ closest allies and partners." This is the seventh time the two officials have met.
"It is essentially a Thanksgiving meeting," a top Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) official said. "Carter's visit is only a farewell trip, and there is no fresh announcements."
Thanking Carter, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said: "The foundations of our defense relations have become closer and has been laid by you, and I appreciate your commitment for our strong bilateral relationship."
"It is no exaggeration that defense relations are a major driver in our bilateral relations," Parrikar added.
"My meetings with Mr. Parrikar have been the most with any defense minister," Carter said. "India-US defense partnership, I believe, will be the defining partnership of the 21st century."
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