India, US Hold Talks to Deepen Defence and Strategic Partnership

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met US Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in New Delhi on Tuesday, with the two sides discussing measures to further strengthen India-US defence and strategic cooperation. The officials also exchanged views on key regional and global developments. The Ministry of Defence said on X that the discussions focused on expanding bilateral defence ties and strategic cooperation, alongside an exchange of perspectives on regional and international issues.

Admiral Paparo, who is on an official visit to India, had earlier met several senior Indian defence officials on Monday. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor highlighted the significance of the visit, describing it as a reflection of the growing importance of the India-US Major Defence Partnership. Ambassador Gor said Admiral Paparo, who heads the US Pacific Command, met India’s Chief of Defence Staff General N. S. Raja Subramani, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Tejinder Singh and other senior defence officials.

The meetings focused on strengthening the partnership between the two countries and addressing emerging security challenges. The discussions also covered issues related to regional stability and the evolving strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific. Admiral Paparo held talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on ways to advance security cooperation and maritime coordination. Jaishankar said the two discussed strengthening the bilateral security partnership and enhancing maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Paparo arrived in New Delhi on October 3 for a six-day official visit aimed at further consolidating defence and security ties between India and the United States. During his engagements with Indian officials, discussions covered a broad range of areas, including digital transformation, advanced technologies, maritime security, strategic stability, defence energy resilience and the increasingly competitive global technology landscape.

The US Embassy in India said the two countries are working to develop a future-ready defence partnership capable of addressing emerging challenges, particularly in areas ranging from advanced technology to maritime security. The latest round of discussions comes as India and the US continue to expand cooperation across defence, technology and the Indo-Pacific, with both countries placing greater emphasis on interoperability, emerging capabilities and regional security.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@SpokespersonMoD.