Bangkok: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in Thailand’s capital Bangkok to attend the 6thASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).
“On the sidelines of ADMM-Plus, Raksha Mantri held bilateral meetings with US Secretary of Defence Mark T Esper, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand General Prawit Wongsuwan, Defence Minister of Japan Taro Kono, Defence Minister of Australia Ms Linda Reynolds and Defence Minister of New Zealand Ron Mark,” the Ministry of Defence said.
In the deliberations, Mr Singh reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral defence relations with the respective leaders and discussed ways to further improving the ties.
It was his first meeting with US Secretary of Defence.
Both the leaders expressed satisfaction over the increasing defence engagements between the two countries and looked forward to meeting again for the 2+2 meeting in Washington DC later next month.
The minister also discussed the regional security situation and shared with Mark Esper India's vision and perspective on the Indo-Pacific.
In his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand General Prawit Wongsuwan, Mr Singh discussed wide-range of issues pertaining to bilateral relations between India and Thailand.
The minister complimented the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand for the successful conduct of activities during the year as the chair of ADMM-Plus and ASEAN for 2019.
He also apprised General Prawit Wongsuwan about the Act East policy of the Government of India and the centrality of ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific policy.
Mr Singh’s meeting with the Defence Minister of Japan Mr Taro Konowas also his first with the leader.
Both of them will meet again in New Delhi for the 2+2 meeting scheduled later this month.
Both the leaders had a detailed discussion on adding further momentum to India-Japan defence cooperation.
They expressed satisfaction over the defence engagements and exercises between the Armed Forces.
He also met his counterparts from Australia and New Zealand and discussed ongoing defence cooperation and potential areas for enhanced engagement.
The Australia Defence Minister is likely to visit New Delhi early next year during the Raisina dialogue.
The ADMM-Plus meeting will be held tomorrow in which Defence Ministers of 18 ADMM-Plus countries will take part.
