ANI
02 Jul 2025, 02:27 GMT+10
Washington DC [US], July 2 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, where he highlighted the strategic importance of India-US defence ties, describing them as 'one of the most consequential pillars' of the bilateral relationship.
Speaking during the meeting at the Pentagon, Jaishankar said, 'I am here with you at the Pentagon because we believe that our defence partnership is, today, truly one of the most consequential.'
The meeting comes on the heels of the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting (QFMM) in Washington, marking another key engagement in a series of high-level India-US interactions.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed enthusiasm about the growing defence partnership between the two countries. He highlighted the integration of US defence systems into India's armed forces and outlined the goal of expanding industrial cooperation and co-production networks.
'The US is very pleased for 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, 'We are eager to work alongside you to realise our shared goals. They are deep and ongoing. The visit today marks an important milestone in the ongoing series of high-level engagements between our two great countries.'
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in February this year, he and then-US President Donald Trump announced plans to sign a new ten-year Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership.
Both leaders had also welcomed the significant integration of US-origin defence equipment into India's military inventory. This includes platforms such as the C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, P-8I Poseidon aircraft, CH-47F Chinooks, MH-60R Seahawks, AH-64E Apaches, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, M777 howitzers, and MQ-9B drones.
Additionally, the two sides had announced plans to pursue new procurements and co-production agreements for Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles in India to rapidly meet India's defence requirements this year. (ANI)
Get a daily dose of India Gazette news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to India Gazette.
More InformationVancouver, Canada: A high-stakes legal showdown is brewing in the world of athleisure. Lululemon, the Canadian brand known for its...
LONDON, U.K.: British oil giant Shell has denied reports that it is in talks to acquire rival oil company BP. The Wall Street Journal...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets closed firmly in positive territory to start the week Monday, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that he was halting trade discussions with Canada due to its decision...
LONDON, U.K.: A little-known investment fund based in the United Arab Emirates has emerged as the most prominent public backer of U.S....
SAN FRANCISCO, California: Across the U.S., a growing number of people are taking obesity treatment into their own hands — literally....
NEW DELHI, India: India has decided not to allow a United Nations (UN) investigator to join the investigation into the recent Air India...
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida: In a landmark flight for three nations and a veteran U.S. spacefarer, a four-member astronaut crew launched...
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 2 (ANI): A two-person bench of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) observed Royal Challengers...
Leh (Ladakh) [India], July 2 (ANI): GOC Trishul Division's Galwan Cycling Expedition team covered a distance of 312 km from Nyoma to...
Accra (Ghana) [India], July 2 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Ghana will be the first by an Indian Prime Minister...
Washington DC [US], July 2 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon,...