After holding wide-ranging talks with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and others, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday said that he had a conversation with Indian ministers about human rights of minorities in India. When mediapersons asked him, if he had a discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi about "violations of human rights especially against Muslim minorities in the northeast", General Austin said, "I did not have an opportunity to talk with him about that. I did have a conversation with other members of the cabinet on this issue."
Llyod added that the US values India’s partnership. “I think partners need to be able to have those kinds of discussions. And certainly we feel comfortable doing that. And you can have those discussions in a very meaningful way and make progress," he added.
Describing the talks as "comprehensive and fruitful", Singh said they agreed to enhance cooperation between Indian military and the US Indo-Pacific Command, Central Command and Africa Command, and that both sides are keen to work together to realise the full potential of the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership.
