New Delhi, Sept 15

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his US counterpart Secretary of Defence Mr Lloyd Austin, on Wednesday, on  a telephone call, reviewed the multi-faceted India-US defence cooperation and reiterated mutual commitment to further strengthen military-to-military ties.

Secretary Austin expressed support for India's defence modernisation programme and looked forward to further strengthening India-US defence industrial and technology collaboration.

They also discussed regional issues and affirmed their shared desire for maintaining peace and stability in the region and beyond. Shri Rajnath Singh conveyed India's concerns over the US decision to provide sustenance package for Pakistan's F-16 fleet.

The two Ministers reiterated that both sides would continue their productive engagements with the objective of deepening India-US Strategic Partnership. Rajnath Singh conveyed that he looked forward to welcoming Secretary Austin in India for the next Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue in 2023.