Washington– U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has reaffirmed that India is a top defense priority for the United States in South Asia, according to Pentagon spokesperson Colonel Chris Devine.
Speaking with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, Hegseth “emphasized the priority the U.S. places on India as its key defense partner in South Asia,” Devine stated.
During the conversation, both leaders reviewed the substantial progress made toward the defense objectives outlined in the February 2025 joint statement by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They also agreed to finalize the next 10-year U.S.-India Defense Framework during their upcoming meeting this year.
The two ministers discussed ongoing major U.S. defense sales to India and highlighted the importance of strengthening defense industrial cooperation between the two nations.
Following the call, Rajnath Singh posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he had an “excellent discussion” with Hegseth to review both ongoing and new initiatives aimed at deepening the U.S.-India defense partnership and enhancing cooperation in capacity building.
Singh also expressed gratitude for the United States’ unwavering support in India’s fight against terrorism and said he looked forward to meeting Hegseth in person soon.
The phone call preceded Hegseth’s meeting with visiting Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar at the Pentagon.
During that meeting, the two leaders discussed India’s participation in the upcoming INDUS-X Summit, which will focus on expanding U.S.-India defense industrial collaboration and driving innovation in defense technology and manufacturing. The next-phase defense framework was also a key topic.
According to the Pentagon, Hegseth and Jaishankar acknowledged shared security concerns in the region and affirmed that both nations are well-positioned to jointly address emerging threats.
EAM Jaishankar emphasized that defense cooperation is one of the most consequential pillars of the U.S.-India strategic partnership.
The defense framework is part of the broader U.S.-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century—an initiative launched by Trump and Modi during their February summit in Washington. It encompasses a wide spectrum of cooperation, including defense, trade, technology, and space.
At that summit, the two leaders announced plans for new defense procurements and co-production agreements, including Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker armored vehicles. India also intends to acquire six additional P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft.
India has already integrated numerous U.S.-made weapons systems into its military, including the C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, and P-8I Poseidon aircraft, as well as the CH-47F Chinook, MH-60R Sea Hawk, and AH-64E Apache helicopters.
The Indian Armed Forces also deploy U.S.-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles, M777 howitzers, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, the Pentagon noted. (Source: IANS)
