Senior U.S. and Indian defense and diplomatic officials held a virtual meeting on Monday to advance bilateral cooperation on defense, trade, and regional security priorities.
The U.S.-India 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue brought together key officials from both nations’ defense and foreign affairs ministries. The high-level talks signal continued momentum in the U.S.-India strategic partnership amid growing concerns about regional security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense Jedidiah P. Royal and State Department Senior Bureau Official Bethany P. Morrison co-chaired the U.S. side. Indian representatives included Additional Secretary Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur from the Ministry of External Affairs and Joint Secretary Vishwesh Negi from the Ministry of Defense, according to a Pentagon readout.
Officials discussed expanding defense cooperation through a new ten-year framework agreement. The proposed Major Defense Partnership framework would enhance defense industrial cooperation, technology sharing, and operational coordination between the two militaries.
The agenda covered critical minerals exploration, energy security, and civil-nuclear cooperation. Counterterrorism and counternarcotics efforts also featured prominently in discussions.
Both sides committed to building on the progress made through the U.S.-India COMPACT initiative. The program, formally known as Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology, aims to deepen 21st-century cooperation.
The officials reaffirmed their commitment to promoting Indo-Pacific security through the Quad partnership. The four-nation grouping includes the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia.
The virtual format allowed continuity in diplomatic engagement despite logistical constraints. Officials expressed satisfaction with the productive discussions and commitment to expanding bilateral ties.
