India US Defence Dialogue Strengthened Through Strategic Teleconference and Joint Exercise Tiger Triumph
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh holds telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defence Mr Lloyd Austin
Discusses range of bilateral, regional security & defence cooperation issues
Raksha Mantri, Rajnath Singh engaged in a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, on March 18, 2024, where they deliberated on a spectrum of bilateral, regional security, and defence cooperation matters. The dialogue underscored the robust defence partnership between India and the US, reviewing significant bilateral activities such as the INDUS-X Summit hosted in New Delhi in February 2024 and the concurrent commencement of the bilateral Tri-Service exercise, ‘Tiger Triumph’, on Indian soil.
During the call, Austin acknowledged the pivotal role of the Indian Navy in anti-piracy operations across the Indian Ocean Region. The ministers explored avenues to operationalize the India-US Defence Cooperation Roadmap, established the preceding year, alongside discussions on defence industrial collaboration including the maintenance of US naval vessels in Indian shipyards.
This telephonic exchange followed their in-person interaction during the India-US Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue in New Delhi in November 2023.
Simultaneously, in alignment with the deep-rooted partnership between the two nations, the bilateral tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise, Tiger Triumph – 24, is being conducted on the Eastern Seaboard from March 18 to 31, 2024. Participants include Indian Navy ships with integral helicopters and landing crafts, Indian Navy aircraft, Indian Army personnel and vehicles, and Indian Air Force aircraft and helicopters along with the Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT). The US contingent comprises Navy Ships with embarked US Marine Corps and Army troops. The exercise aims at fostering interoperability for HADR operations and refining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to facilitate seamless coordination between the forces of both nations.
The Harbour Phase, running from March 18 to 25, will see personnel from both navies engage in Training Visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, Sports Events, and Social interactions. Following this, the embarked troops will progress to the Sea Phase to execute Maritime, Amphibious, and HADR operations based on simulated scenarios.