Hegseth, Jaishankar, Rajnath Discuss Deepening India-US Defense Ties

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the Pentagon on July 1, reaffirming the strategic depth of the India-US defense partnership. He also held separate talks with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.

Hegseth told Jaishankar that the US and India “are mutually aware of regional security concerns” and have the capability to address them together. “We’re eager to work alongside you to realize our shared goals. They’re deep and ongoing,” he said.

Jaishankar described defense ties as “one of the most consequential pillars” of bilateral relations, built not just on shared interests but growing convergence in responsibilities and capabilities. “What we do in the Indo-Pacific is absolutely crucial to its strategic stability,” he said, adding that their partnership could “make a big difference” to the region.

Hegseth welcomed Jaishankar with an enhanced military honor cordon, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Donald Trump laid a strong foundation for the relationship. He said the US now looks forward to finalizing a new 10-year framework for the Major Defense Partnership.

Talks also focused on pending US weapons sales, joint production, enhanced interoperability, and participation in the upcoming INDUS-X Summit to boost defense innovation.

The Pentagon noted that India has already integrated several US platforms, including the C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, P-8I Poseidon, Apache and Chinook helicopters, Harpoon missiles, and MQ-9B drones.

Rajnath Singh, after his own meeting with Hegseth, said on X that they had an “excellent discussion” on ongoing and new initiatives. He thanked the US for its “unwavering support” in India’s fight against terrorism and looked forward to meeting Hegseth again soon. (with IANS inputs)