On March 10-11, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs David F. Helvey and Thailand's Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary General Natt Intracharoen led the 6th U.S.-Thailand Defense Strategic Talks. It was one of the first bilateral dialogues with a treaty ally in the Indo-Pacific region under the Biden Administration, and it symbolizes the value the United States places on the U.S.-Thai alliance. The talks were virtual, and both sides looked forward to future in-person discussions.
Acting Assistant Secretary Helvey and General Natt discussed the wide range of U.S.-Thailand defense cooperation, including an exchange of views on the regional security environment, and enhancing reciprocal access and security cooperation. Both sides agreed on the importance of working together to ensure maritime security, reiterated our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, and discussed the coup in Burma, where both delegations voiced strong concerns about the Burmese military’s violence against protestors.
Acting Assistant Secretary Helvey underscored that the United States will continue to prioritize the security, stability, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific, and looked forward to the 40th COBRA GOLD exercise later this year. In addition, U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Ambassador Atul Keshap highlighted developments within the context of the U.S.-Mekong Partnership and reaffirmed U.S. commitment to Mekong security issues.