Department of Defense Spokesperson LTC Dave Eastburn provided the following readout:
Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan met today with Australia’s Minister for Defense Linda Reynolds on the margins of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
The two leaders affirmed the “100 Years of Mateship” between Australia and the United States provided a strong foundation for deeper cooperation and further integration of defense priorities around the globe. The Acting Secretary expressed appreciation for Australia’s concrete commitment to the U.S.-Australia Alliance, including contributions to counter the ISIS threat in the Middle East. Minister Reynolds expressed appreciation for the United States’ measures of reassurance to the Indo-Pacific region, and reaffirmed Australia’s strong support for the Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
Acting Secretary Shanahan stated that there is no gap between the United States and Australia, only opportunities to further integration on mutual priorities. Both leaders look forward to deepening their friendship and advancing discussions on bilateral defense cooperation at the next Australia-U.S. ministerial meeting.