Archive · 29 Sep 2026
India, US Deepen Defence Cooperation Amid Indo-Pacific Security Shifts
India and the United States held talks about working more closely on defence.
General Dhiraj Seth met Lieutenant General Joel B. Vowell in New Delhi.
They discussed security changes in the Indo-Pacific region.
They also considered more joint training and military exercises.
The two armies recently trained together during Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026.
Officials said the exercise improved their ability to work together.
India’s Defence Secretary also met US lawmakers.
Those talks included defence technology and industrial cooperation.
Indian Army chief General Dhiraj Seth and US Lieutenant General Joel B. Vowell discussed Indo-Pacific security and bilateral defence cooperation in New Delhi.
The leaders examined ways to improve military interoperability through joint training and exercises.
Both armies’ participation in Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 was cited as evidence of stronger operational coordination.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh separately met a bipartisan US congressional delegation led by Representative Brian Mast.
The discussions also focused on defence industrial and technological cooperation within the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
- Who
- Indian and US military and government officials, including General Dhiraj Seth, Lieutenant General Joel B. Vowell, Rajesh Kumar Singh, and Representative Brian Mast.
- What
- They discussed Indo-Pacific security, deeper defence cooperation, military interoperability, and defence industrial and technological cooperation.
- When
- The military meeting took place on 28 September; related discussions and Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 were reported the following week.
- Where
- The military leaders met in New Delhi, while the exercise was held at Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.
- Why
- To strengthen the India-US defence partnership, improve interoperability, and advance military, industrial, and technological cooperation.
- Military meeting
- General Dhiraj Seth met Lieutenant General Joel B. Vowell in New Delhi.
- Main security topic
- The discussions covered the evolving security landscape in the Indo-Pacific.
- Exercise
- Indian and US forces participated in Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026.
- Interoperability
- Joint training and exercises were identified as ways to improve coordination between the armies.
- Political discussions
- Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met a bipartisan US House delegation led by Representative Brian Mast.
- Industrial cooperation
- The delegation discussed defence industrial and technological cooperation.
- US ambassador’s assessment
- Sergio Gor described Yudh Abhyas as reflecting trust, readiness, interoperability, and shared purpose.