New Delhi

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and the US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin met on Monday and exchanged ideas on several issues of mutual interest.

According to sources, the two leaders highlighted the cooperation in specific niche technologies in maritime, military, and aerospace domains to boost capabilities.

Another point of discussion between them was the greater transfer of technology, to India from the USA, co-production, and building indigenous capacities between the two countries in line with India’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

The two leaders have also decided to ensure that countries in different regions viz Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, and Indo-Pacific retain their freedom of action in line with their national priorities and are not coerced into making poor choices.

During the meeting, Doval and Austin maintained the two countries’ focus on trusted sources of supply, resilient supply chains, and greater industry-to-industry partnerships.

They decided to take a strategic approach to global challenges through whole government efforts including through people-to-people and societal relations.