Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States next week, the two countries are taking decisive steps to further strengthen their defence collaboration. In an introductory call between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, both leaders outlined a bold agenda aimed at enhancing operational cooperation, defence technology collaboration, and military interoperability, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
Key Areas of Focus in the US-India Defence Dialogue
On Friday morning the US Department of Defence issued a readout following the call, where Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed both countries shared commitment to the ‘US-India Major Defence Partnership.’ “I look forward to holding the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue and concluding the next ten-year U.S.-India Defence Framework this year,” Hegseth said, indicating a deeper defence cooperation.
Late Thursday evening, the Indian Ministry of Defence released a statement that detailed the various aspects of the discussions. “The two Ministers reviewed the extensive India-US defence cooperation activities covering multiple domains such as land, air, maritime, and space. Both sides appreciated the ongoing and remarkable expansion of bilateral defence ties and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening these partnerships,” the statement said.
During the call, Singh and Hegseth agreed on several critical areas for deeper collaboration, particularly around military interoperability. The two leaders discussed ways to enhance logistics, information sharing, and joint military exercises. They also underscored the importance of technology cooperation, defence industrial supply chain integration, and fostering innovation through collaboration among governments, businesses, academic institutions, and startups.
“The Ministers agreed to work together to draft a comprehensive framework on defence cooperation, aimed at structuring the bilateral collaboration for the period 2025-2035,” said the Ministry of Defence’s statement. This initiative is expected to solidify and enhance the strategic partnership between the two nations in the coming years.
The agreement to formalize these defence cooperation areas comes as both India and the U.S. seek to address the growing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, where tensions are rising due to regional rivalries. Interoperability, in particular, is key to ensuring that both countries’ armed forces can work seamlessly together in times of conflict or crisis.
The upcoming 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, which will involve key defence and foreign affairs officials from both countries, is expected to build on the foundations laid during this call and help finalize the defence framework. By advancing military interoperability and fostering greater technological exchange, the two nations are sending a clear signal that their defence partnership is poised to play an essential role in maintaining regional stability.