Singapore, June 2 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region and other issues of mutual and global interests with US Defence Secreary James Mattis here on Saturday.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue a day after Modi delivered the keynote address to the Asian security summit, calling for a rules-based order in Asia and an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, with the ASEAN at the centre.
"The focus of conversation was on the region in the context of the PM's keynote address at the #SLD18" Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval was present at the closed-door meeting that lasted nearly an hour.
The Pentagon this week renamed its Pacific Command as Indo-Pacific Command, in a step that many see as the Trump administration's move to draw India to the US defence planning.
The US is focusing on efforts to strengthen relationships and modernise its alliances in the Indo-Pacific region as a priority for 21st century security interests and sustaining U.S. global leadership.
Mattis also met several Indo-Pacific defence ministers and discussed how the US Indo-Pacific Strategy would contribute to security, according to defence department release.
UNI SRJ