External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during a high-level meeting with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, called the India-US defence relationship “one of the most consequential pillars” of bilateral cooperation.
“We believe that our defence partnership is, today, truly one of the most consequential,” Jaishankar stated, reinforcing India’s strategic commitment to deepening military collaboration with the United States.
The meeting followed the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (QFMM) in Washington and signalled continued momentum in Indo-US strategic engagements.
US Defence Secretary Hegseth lauded the growing defence ties, emphasizing the successful integration of US-made defence systems into India’s armed forces. He outlined an ambitious roadmap to enhance industrial cooperation, co-production efforts, and interoperability between the two militaries.
“We hope to complete several major pending US defence sales to India and formally sign a new framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership,” Hegseth noted, underscoring the significance of the visit.
This deepening defence relationship was further solidified during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US visit in February, where he and former President Donald Trump agreed on a new ten-year defence framework. The leaders also welcomed India’s acquisition of several US-origin platforms, including the C-130J, C-17, P-8I, Chinooks, Apaches, and MQ-9B drones.
Future collaboration is expected to include co-production of Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles, aimed at meeting India’s immediate defence needs.
