India, US discuss trade, defence cooperation

India and the US on Tuesday discussed a wide range of bilateral priorities, including trade and investment, defence cooperation, energy collaboration — particularly in the civil nuclear domain — as well as technology partnerships, critical minerals and trusted supply chains.

These discussions took place during the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), co-chaired in New Delhi by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the consultations offered an opportunity for a comprehensive review of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest, reaffirming their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Both delegations welcomed the steady progress across existing dialogue mechanisms and agreed to accelerate the implementation of the “Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology (COMPACT) for the 21st Century” framework, aimed at driving transformative cooperation across key pillars of the relationship.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the US Embassy said the meeting helped advance the vision articulated by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their February summit, translating it into concrete steps to strengthen US security, jobs and competitiveness while supporting India’s long-term strategic objectives.

Hooker added that the US sought to deepen collaboration in defence, energy, advanced technology, space and trusted supply chains, emphasising the value of a partnership that boosts American innovation while supporting India’s emergence as a global technology leader.