India, U.S. move to enhance defence partnership

India and the U.S. have agreed to expand defence ties, with talks underway on a new 10-year framework at the India-U.S. 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue held on Monday (August 25, 2025).

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Additional Secretary (Americas) Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur in the MEA and Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) in the Ministry of Defence Vishwesh Negi co-chaired the virtual dialogue alongside a senior official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Bethany P. Morrison and acting Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah P. Royal.

“Both sides looked forward to increasing defence cooperation, including signing a new ten-year Framework for the India-U.S. Major Defence Partnership, as well as advancing defence industrial, science, and technology cooperation; operational coordination; regional cooperation; and information-sharing,” the Ministry said.

The participants agreed to build upon the progress made in these areas under the auspices of the India-U.S. COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century and beyond, the Ministry added.

The chairs reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Indo-Pacific region through the QUAD.

The dialogue concluded with the chairs expressing their appreciation for the productive meeting and eagerness to continue enhancing the breadth and depth of the bilateral relationship in a manner that benefits the peoples of India and the U.S., the Ministry added.