‘Our relationship with India is much expanded’: US defense secretary Lloyd Austin reflects on his 4-year tenure

US secretary of defence Lloyd Austin highlighted the robust growth of the US-India partnership while reaffirming America’s commitment to bolstering global security alliances.
Speaking after a change of command ceremony in the US Southern Command in Doral, Austin pointed out significant diplomatic strides and security efforts, which have expanded US relationships across various regions.
“Our relationship with India is much expanded from what it was,” Austin said. He also highlighted similar collaborative efforts with the Philippines and Japan.
Reflecting on his 4-year tenure, Austin noted achievements made by the department of defense, saying, “It was an honor to celebrate the men and women of this command and thank them for strengthening partnerships and countering security challenges throughout our hemisphere.”
Austin posted on social media after the ceremony, sharing his appreciation for US Southern Command’s leadership transition from General Laura Richardson to Admiral John Holsey.
Amid global challenges, Austin pointed out the Pentagon’s balanced focus on Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific. Despite ongoing security assistance for Ukraine and support for Israel’s territorial defense, he confirmed that the US remains dedicated to Indo-Pacific stability.
“We strengthened Nato. We’ve pulled Nato together. We’ve kept 50 countries focused on providing security assistance to Ukraine,” Austin added, noting that the defense department has rallied Nato and the Ukraine defense contact group, a coalition of over 50 nations, to support Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Austin also addressed the humanitarian concerns in Gaza, highlighting that the US views relief efforts as a priority. He revealed that he had discussed the topic with Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, thanking him for his cooperation. “Today, when I talked to [Gallant] for the final time in his position, I emphasized again how important [the humanitarian aid issue] is and thanked him for what he did to help us move things along,” Austin said.
As his tenure nears its conclusion, Austin expressed confidence in the military’s professionalism and resilience amidst the upcoming transition to a new administration in 2025. Although he declined to speculate on how a new commander-in-chief might impact military operations, Austin asserted his faith in the country’s military leadership, saying, “These senior leaders will stay focused on defending this country and succeeding through teamwork. I have 100% confidence in them going forward.”
The address came amid historic political changes, as Donald Trump won the US presidential election on November 5, marking his return to office after serving non-consecutive terms. Trump’s victory was decisive, with over 300 electoral votes, sweeping all seven battleground states and securing the popular vote.
Celebrating his win, Trump said, “America’s future will be bigger, better, bolder, richer, safer, and stronger than it has ever been before. God bless you, and God bless America.”