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India defence minister raises eyebrows saying India, US agree on countering ‘Chinese aggression’

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This handout photo taken and released on November 10, 2023, by the Indian Press Information Bureau (PIB) shows India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (L) shakes hands with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin during their bilateral meeting in New Delhi. (Photo by PIB / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO /  INDIAN PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (PIB) " - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (left) with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin during their bilateral meeting in New Delhi.

PHOTO: AFP

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- Indian officials are usually wary of publicly calling out China in front of their United States counterparts.

On Friday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appeared to deviate from the usual practice when he suggested that Chinese aggression is driving closer ties between the US and India.

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