Washington– The U.S.-India COMPACT, a comprehensive framework for expanding cooperation between the two nations, was the central focus of a recent meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
“The Secretary affirmed the strength of the U.S.-India relationship, highlighting implementation of the U.S.-India COMPACT, which will enhance our two nations’ collaboration on trade, defense, energy, countering illegal immigration, counternarcotics, and more,” Bruce said.
Jaishankar shared details of the meeting on X, writing that they “discussed our bilateral partnership, including trade, security, critical technologies, connectivity, energy, and mobility” and “shared perspectives on regional and global developments.”
The two diplomats had earlier participated in the Quad Ministerial Meeting alongside Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.
In addition, Jaishankar met with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Following the meeting, he posted on X that they discussed “the energy transformation underway in India and opportunities for a deeper India-US energy partnership.”
The COMPACT initiative includes a U.S.-India Energy Security Partnership, covering collaboration in oil, gas, and civil nuclear energy. One of its key goals is to increase hydrocarbon production to help reduce global energy prices.
Jaishankar also held bilateral talks with Penny Wong and Takeshi Iwaya during his visit.
The COMPACT—short for Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce, and Technology—was formally launched in February when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited President Donald Trump in Washington.
According to the White House, the goals of the COMPACT are “to drive transformative change across key pillars of cooperation and commit to a results-driven agenda with initial outcomes this year to demonstrate the level of trust for a mutually beneficial partnership.”
As part of the initiative, the two countries plan to adopt a new ten-year framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership, designed for the 21st century.
On the trade front, the COMPACT includes a target known as “Mission 500,” aimed at increasing bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. It also outlines plans for collaboration in key emerging sectors such as space and artificial intelligence. (Source: IANS)
