On a visit to New Delhi, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles has said his country’s relationship with India is “the highest priority” as they mark the fifth anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in Singapore that the growing defense relationship with India passes “new milestones by the day.” As concerns over China’s military buildup grow among all three nations, and the United States increasingly sees India as a counter to China in the Indo-Pacific, what does India make of this Western stance? Does New Delhi have a divergent approach? And is there a limit to its U.S. and Australian defense relationships as it pursues a policy of strategic autonomy, including an ongoing friendship with Russia?
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
