US defence chief arrives in Kabul on first trip to Afghanistan

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin walks with Acting Afghan Minister of Defence Yasin Zia as they review an honour guard at the presidential palace in Kabul (Presidential Palace via AP)

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has arrived in Kabul on his first trip to Afghanistan as Pentagon chief, amid swirling questions about how long American troops will remain in the country.

State-owned Radio and Television Afghanistan and popular TOLO Television reported Mr Austin’s arrival in Kabul from India.