U.S. defense chief holds China focus amid Israel-Hamas conflict

Austin to meet with Philippine, Thai, other counterparts during Pacific tour

231109Austin in India

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrives in New Delhi on Nov. 9. (Photo by Ryo Nakamura)

RYO NAKAMURA, Nikkei staff writer

NEW DELHI -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin began an Indo-Pacific tour this week, in a likely bid by Washington to show allies it is not distracted from challenges presented by China even as the U.S. military deals with simultaneous conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. 

Austin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to attend an annual meeting of top defense and diplomatic officials from the U.S. and India with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Defense industry cooperation and enhancing maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean will be high on agenda.

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