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Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call with Indian Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:

Secretary Austin spoke today with his Indian counterpart, Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh.

The Secretary offered his deepest condolences for the loss of General Bipin Rawat, India's Chief of Defense Staff, Mrs. Madhulika Rawat, and the Indian service members who were involved in a helicopter accident on December 8. He also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to strengthening U.S.-India ties and deepening our defense partnership.