New Delhi. 20 March 2020. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation with his United States counterpart Secretary of Defence Dr Mark T Esper. The two Defence Ministers reviewed the progress in bilateral and multilateral defence co-operation and agreed to expand military-to-military engagements and defence trade & industry as part of India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership.
The two Ministers exchanged views on the grave situation arising out of COVID-19 and expressed confidence that through open communication and mutual support, the world can overcome the pandemic. Both the Ministers agreed to remain in touch during this trying period. Rajnath Singh briefed Secretary Esper about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to coordinate COVID-19 relief efforts in South Asia. He invited Secretary Esper to visit India at the earliest convenient date.
Secretary Esper expressed his appreciation for India’s leadership in coordinating COVID-19 related relief efforts among South Asian countries, and conveyed his intent to visit India at the earliest opportunity.
