India, US discuss 10-year framework for defence partnership

India and the United States have held an intersessional dialogue — a preparatory meeting for the upcoming 2+2 ministerial talks — and discussed the pending 10-year framework for the India-US Major Defence Partnership.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday that the meeting was held virtually. From the Indian side, Additional Secretary (Americas) Naidu Kakanur and Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Vishwesh Negi co-chaired the dialogue, while the US was represented by Bethany P Morrison, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, and Jedidiah P Royal, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.

The MEA said both sides looked forward to enhancing defence cooperation, including finalising the new 10-year framework, as well as advancing defence industrial, science and technology collaboration, operational coordination, regional cooperation and information-sharing.

Officials also advanced bilateral initiatives, reviewed regional security developments and exchanged views on shared strategic priorities. Discussions covered trade and investment, energy security (including civil-nuclear cooperation), critical minerals exploration and counternarcotics and counterterrorism efforts.

The two sides agreed to build upon progress made under the India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology).

The MEA said the dialogue concluded with both sides expressing eagerness to further deepen the bilateral partnership in ways that directly benefit the people of India and the United States.