NEW DELHI: During a bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the need to finalize several major pending defence sales to India and deepen bilateral industrial cooperation in the defence sector.
According to a US readout, the discussions touched on regional security challenges, particularly concerns over aggression in the Asia-Pacific. The leaders also reviewed ongoing defence deals, the forthcoming signing of a new ’10-Year Defence Framework,’ and progress in advanced technology policy coordination.
The US and India have already announced plans for joint procurement and co-production of key military equipment, including Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker armoured vehicles. Negotiations are also underway for the purchase of six additional P-8I maritime patrol aircraft.
In their talks, Hegseth also expressed the US interest in expanded defence procurement by India as a means to address the trade imbalance between the two countries. Jaishankar reaffirmed the strategic importance of the bilateral defence relationship, describing it as “one of the most consequential pillars” of India-US ties. “It’s not just about shared interests,” he noted, “but about deepening convergence in capabilities, responsibilities, and actions in the Indo-Pacific, which are vital for regional strategic stability.”
Jaishankar also met with his US counterpart, Senator Marco Rubio. According to an American statement, Rubio reaffirmed the strength of the US-India relationship, highlighting progress under the US-India COMPACT, which aims to boost cooperation in areas such as trade, defence, energy, countering illegal immigration, and counternarcotics.
Jaishankar said he and Rubio discussed the growing strategic partnership and exchanged views on regional and global developments.
