The Defense Department, along with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, is working on critical issues — meaningful issues — that promote stability and security throughout the region, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.
Austin spoke today at a news briefing in Singapore during the Shangri-La Dialogue.
"It's important to remember that every time that we come out here, we're not just coming out to conduct meetings. We're actually getting things done," he said.
"That's the purpose of being out here: to reassure, to make sure that our allies and partners understand that we have a shared vision, a common vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and that we are a Pacific nation and we are here to stay," he said.
"Without personal engagement, it's very difficult to do some of that. So that's why we're here. And that's why we'll keep coming back," Austin said.
Austin also met bilaterally with counterparts from countries across the Indo-Pacific, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles from Australia, President-elect and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto from Indonesia, Defense Minister Mohamad Khalad Nordin from Malaysia, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro from the Philippines, and Defense Minister Sutin Khlangsaeng from Thailand.
Austin is also planning additional meetings with world leaders in the days ahead.