India, US Seek Closer Defence Partnership Amid Broader Strategic Engagement

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh held talks with Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Pacific Command, in New Delhi on Tuesday, with the two sides discussing ways to strengthen India-US defence and strategic cooperation. The meeting also covered regional and global developments, reflecting the broader focus on security coordination between the two countries.

The Ministry of Defence said the discussions focused on further strengthening bilateral defence and strategic ties and included an exchange of views on developments affecting the regional and global security environment. Admiral Paparo is currently on a six-day official visit to India, having arrived in New Delhi on October 3 as part of efforts to advance defence engagement between the two countries.

During his visit, Paparo also met senior Indian military leadership. He held discussions with 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 covered areas linked to the growing India-US Major Defence Partnership.

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Paparo had earlier met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, with discussions focused on advancing the bilateral security partnership and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The engagement comes as both countries continue to work together on regional security priorities, including maritime security and strategic stability.

According to the US Embassy in India, the discussions during Paparo's visit have also addressed digital transformation and emerging technologies, defence energy resilience and the challenges posed by an increasingly competitive technology environment. The two sides are seeking to strengthen cooperation in areas that are expected to shape future defence capabilities and security planning.

The United States and India have continued to expand their defence partnership through cooperation across multiple domains. The US Embassy said the engagement includes areas ranging from emerging technologies to maritime security, with the two countries working towards a defence partnership capable of addressing evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

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