New Delhi [India], July 27 (HBTV): The top defence officials from India and the United States held bilateral talks on Sunday during the ongoing Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, focusing on strengthening strategic military cooperation, regional security, and operational readiness in the Indo-Pacific.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), met Lieutenant General Joshua Rudd, Deputy Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, as part of India's high-level engagement at the multilateral exercise hosted in Australia.

According to the Integrated Defence Staff, the discussions centred on enhancing defence collaboration and exploring future operational opportunities to maintain peace and stability in the region.

‘Various avenues for strengthening defence cooperation and collaboration, as well as future operational opportunities, were discussed. India–USA defence engagements underscore mutual resolve towards regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific,’ the Integrated Defence Staff posted on X.

The meeting reflects the growing momentum in India-US strategic relations, particularly in the defence sector, which has expanded rapidly in recent years.

Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, where both leaders acknowledged the increasing depth of defence cooperation between the two nations.

Jaishankar described the defence partnership as ‘one of the most consequential pillars’ of the bilateral relationship. ‘I am here with you at the Pentagon because we believe that our defence partnership is, today, truly one of the most consequential,’ he said during the meeting.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed the ongoing progress and highlighted India’s integration of US defence systems into its military infrastructure. He also outlined a shared vision for expanding industrial cooperation and defence production.

‘The US is very pleased with the successful integration of many US defence items. Building on this progress, we hope we can complete several major pending US defence sales to India, expand our shared defence industrial cooperation and co-production networks, strengthen interoperability, and formally sign a new framework of US-India major defence partnership,’ Hegseth said.

He added that the collaboration is aimed at addressing shared strategic objectives and meeting India's evolving defence needs more efficiently.

This accelerated pace of high-level defence engagements follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States earlier this year. During the visit, PM Modi and then-US President Donald Trump had announced plans to finalise a new ten-year framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership.

The two countries also supported deeper integration of US-origin platforms into India’s defence inventory, including C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, CH-47F Chinooks, MH-60R Seahawks, AH-64E Apaches, M777 howitzers, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and MQ-9B drones.

Additionally, both sides committed to new joint production deals, such as co-producing Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles in India, to address India's critical defence requirements through industrial collaboration.

The ongoing Exercise Talisman Sabre, one of the largest multilateral military drills involving key Indo-Pacific partners, continues to provide a vital platform for India and the US to deepen operational interoperability and regional coordination.

(ANI)