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Senior Indian and U.S. officials convened virtually today for the India-U.S. 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue, reaffirming a shared commitment to deepening strategic and defence ties.
Building on the momentum of recent high-level engagements, both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral defence cooperation. The major issue on the agenda for the discussions was the planned signing of a new ten-year Framework for the IndiaтАУU.S. Major Defence Partnership. This agreement aims to expand collaboration in defence industrial production, science and technology, regional security coordination, operational interoperability, and real-time information-sharing.
The meeting was co-chaired by Additional Secretary (Americas) Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur and Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Vishwesh Negi from the Indian side, alongside Bethany P. Morrison, Senior Bureau Official for South and Central Asian Affairs, and Jedidiah P. Royal, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, representing the United States.
Officials committed to accelerating progress under the India-U.S. COMPACT initiative :Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology, a platform established to guide 21st-century strategic cooperation. Participants agreed to use this mechanism to further drive innovation, joint development, and co-production across key defence and technology sectors.
Beyond defence, the dialogue between India and U.S. covered a broad range of strategic priorities, including regional stability, civil-nuclear energy cooperation, critical minerals development, and efforts to counter narcotics trafficking and terrorism. Both sides also reaffirmed their shared vision for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific and reiterated their commitment to advancing cooperation through the Quad.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the visit of a high-level U.S. defence policy delegation to New Delhi, followed by this intersessional meeting. тАЬThe IndiaтАУU.S. defence partnership, underpinned by foundational agreements, is a key pillar of our strategic relationship,тАЭ said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
Highlighting operational ties, the two militaries are set to conduct their largest-ever joint army exerciseтАФYudh Abhyas 2025тАФin Alaska from September 1 to 14. Over 400 Indian Army personnel, led by the Madras Regiment, will participate in the exercise, reflecting growing complexity and scale in bilateral defence collaboration.
Both sides shared resolve to continue expanding defence and strategic engagement in ways that deliver tangible benefits to both India and the United States.
