**US Defense Secretary To Visit India Amidst Growing China Tensions**
**New Delhi:** US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to visit India on March 9-11, 2023, amidst escalating tensions between India and China along their disputed border.
Austin’s visit is part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to strengthen ties with India, a key regional partner, in the face of China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
The visit comes just weeks after a deadly clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, which left several soldiers from both sides injured.
During his visit, Austin is expected to meet with his Indian counterpart, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and other senior officials to discuss a range of issues, including defense cooperation, regional security, and the ongoing border dispute with China.
Austin’s visit is also likely to focus on enhancing defense ties between the US and India, including joint military exercises, defense technology cooperation, and information sharing.
India and the US have a long-standing defense partnership, and the two countries have been cooperating closely in recent years to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
China has been expanding its military presence in the region, and has been building artificial islands and military facilities in the South China Sea, which has raised concerns among neighboring countries and the US.
The US has been urging India to play a more active role in maintaining stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region, and Austin’s visit is seen as a sign of the Biden administration’s commitment to strengthening ties with India.
India has been balancing its relationship with the US and China, and has been reluctant to take sides in the growing rivalry between the two superpowers.
However, the recent border clash with China has pushed India closer to the US, and Austin’s visit is expected to further strengthen the defense partnership between the two countries.
The visit is also expected to send a strong message to China that the US is committed to supporting India in the face of Chinese aggression.
The US and India have a shared interest in maintaining stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region, and Austin’s visit is a sign of the Biden administration’s commitment to strengthening ties with India in the face of China’s growing assertiveness..
