A fresh start has begun in the relationship between India and the United States following a period of tension. Agreement has been reached on a 10-year defense cooperation framework between S. Jaishankar and the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
India-US relations: Concrete improvements are now visible in the diplomatic tension observed in recent months between India and the United States. In a meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, an agreement was reached on a framework for strategic cooperation for the next ten years. Furthermore, President Donald Trump has given a new direction to the relationship between the two countries by announcing a trade agreement with India.
Recent reasons for discomfort
Discomfort was observed in the relationship between India and the United States recently on several issues. These included—increased import duties by the U.S., Western countries' comments on India's Operation Sindoor, and the U.S.'s efforts to improve relations with the Pakistan Army Chief. All these reasons led to tension in the relations between the two countries. However, in the last 24 hours, clear signs of reducing these tensions have emerged.
Important meeting of Jaishankar and Hegseth
Late Wednesday night, a meeting took place between India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. In this meeting, an agreement was reached on a framework for strategic cooperation for the next ten years. During this, discussions were held on the sale of defense equipment, joint defense exercises, and cooperation in dealing with security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
Prior to this meeting, U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth had a telephone conversation with India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. In this, discussions were held on several important issues related to bilateral defense cooperation. According to a statement by the U.S. Department of Defense, both countries share similar views on the security challenges of the Indo-Pacific region and want to jointly address them.
Trump's announcement on trade agreement
In the White House, President Donald Trump announced that the trade agreement between India and the United States is nearing its final stage. Both countries are ready to reduce their respective import duties. This will not only accelerate trade but also strengthen economic relations.
The meeting between Jaishankar and Hegseth also discussed the strategy to move forward with the defense talks held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump in February 2025. It included an agreement on the purchase of Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker combat vehicles for the Indian Army.
Discussion on the purchase of strategic equipment
The United States informed that India is considering purchasing six additional P-81 maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft will further strengthen India's maritime security capabilities in the Indian Ocean region. On this occasion, Jaishankar said that the relations between India and the United States are already b and can be further expanded in the coming years.
