India and the United States held important defence talks during the ongoing Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 in Australia.
The meeting focused on working together more closely in the Indo-Pacific region, improving military cooperation, and supporting peace and security.
India & US Eye Greater Military Cooperation in Australia
Top defence officials from India and the United States held important talks on Sunday during the ongoing Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 in Australia.
The discussions focused on improving military cooperation, boosting regional security, and increasing operational readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who serves as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), met with Lt Gen Joshua Rudd, Deputy Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command.
The meeting took place over tea and was part of India’s high-level participation in this large multinational military exercise.
According to the Integrated Defence Staff, both sides talked about strengthening defence cooperation, exploring future joint military operations, and working together to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
In a post on social media platform X, the Integrated Defence Staff said, “Various avenues for strengthening #DefenceCooperation and collaboration, as well as future operational opportunities, were discussed.
#India-#USA Defence engagements underscore mutual resolve towards #RegionalSecurity and stability in the #IndoPacific.”
This meeting is part of the growing defence relationship between India and the US, which has rapidly strengthened in recent years.
Earlier this month, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the Pentagon and met with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Both leaders spoke about how deep and important the defence partnership has become.
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 pillars of our relationship.”
Secretary Hegseth praised the progress made and mentioned how India is increasingly using US defence systems.
He also talked about plans to expand industrial cooperation and defence production between the two countries.
“The US is very pleased with the successful integration of many US defence items into India’s military.We hope to complete several major defence deals soon, expand joint defence production, and sign a new framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership,” Hegseth added.
He stressed that this growing cooperation will help both countries meet shared strategic goals and support India’s defence needs more effectively.
These latest defence talks come shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US earlier this year.
During that visit, PM Modi and then-US President Donald Trump announced plans to sign a new ten-year defence partnership framework.
India and the US also agreed to expand India’s use of American defence platforms like
C-130J Super Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft
P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft
CH-47F Chinook and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters
AH-64E Apache attack helicopters
M777 howitzers, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and MQ-9B drones
They also committed to producing advanced weapons together in India, such as
Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles
Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles
This industrial collaboration will not only help India meet its defence needs, but also boost its local production.
Exercise Talisman Sabre, which brings together key military partners from the Indo-Pacific region, provides an ideal setting for India and the US to further improve their defence cooperation and military coordination.
