Rajnath Singh, US Defense Secy Hegseth Reaffirm Commitment to Deeper Ties

In a significant reaffirmation of the deepening India-US defence partnership, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a high-level telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defense Mr. Pete Hegseth on July 1, 2025. The discussion focused on a broad spectrum of strategic defence issues, highlighting the growing convergence between the two nations in military collaboration, industrial cooperation, and global security architecture.

This marked the third telephonic exchange between the two defence leaders since Mr. Hegseth assumed office in January 2025, underscoring the importance both governments place on regular, high-level engagement to sustain the momentum of bilateral military ties.

Expanding the India-US Defence Agenda

Both ministers reviewed the progress of ongoing joint initiatives and explored ways to further expand the partnership across five core pillars:

1. Interoperability

   • Enhancing operational synergy between Indian and US armed forces through joint doctrines and coordinated deployments.

2. Industrial Collaboration

   • Integration of defence industrial supply chains, particularly in the context of the INDUS-X initiative and joint production of next-generation military technologies.

3. Logistics and Infrastructure Sharing

   • Strengthening reciprocal access under agreements like LEMOA, COMCASA, and BECA, enabling seamless support during multinational exercises and regional contingencies.

4. Joint Training and Military Exercises

   • Expansion of joint drills like Yudh Abhyas, Tiger Triumph, Malabar, and Cope India, with added emphasis on air and maritime interoperability.

5. Multilateral Defence Cooperation

   • Joint engagement with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific such as Japan, Australia, France, and others to uphold a free, open, and rules-based international order.

Commitment to Counterterrorism and Regional Stability

During the conversation, Shri Rajnath Singh conveyed his appreciation for the consistent support extended by the United States in India’s fight against terrorism. He noted that counterterrorism remains a shared strategic imperative and reaffirmed India’s intent to strengthen information sharing, operational collaboration, and counter-radicalization efforts with the US and allied partners.

The Raksha Mantri also commended Mr. Hegseth’s dynamic leadership, which he said has taken bilateral defence ties to “unprecedented heights” in recent months. Mr. Hegseth, known for his prior military experience and strong Indo-Pacific focus, has prioritized deeper defence cooperation with India as a cornerstone of US strategy in the region.

Invitation for In-Person Dialogue

As a concrete step toward expanding cooperation, Mr. Hegseth extended a formal invitation to Shri Rajnath Singh to visit the United States for an in-person meeting in the coming months. The visit is expected to include strategic dialogues, high-level military briefings, and site visits to key US defence industry installations.

Shri Rajnath Singh, in a post on social media platform X, confirmed the conversation and expressed optimism about advancing the bilateral agenda further.

“Had a warm and productive telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defense Mr. Pete Hegseth. We discussed ongoing and new initiatives to deepen the India-US defence partnership and build capacity. Looking forward to an in-person meeting soon,” he posted.

Building on Shared Goals: Indo-Pacific and Beyond

The telephonic exchange comes at a time when both nations are working closely under the frameworks of QUAD, I2U2, and bilateral defence dialogues to uphold regional peace, deter coercive behavior, and ensure resilient supply chains.

In particular, discussions also emphasized the growing strategic convergence in the Indo-Pacific, where both sides are committed to:

• Maritime domain awareness

• Submarine and anti-submarine warfare cooperation

• Space and cyber defence partnerships

• Humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) capabilities

Defence Diplomacy in Overdrive

The year 2025 has already seen a flurry of defence exchanges between India and the US:

• Signing of joint production agreements for UAVs and jet engines under the Defense Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI)

• Enhanced cooperation between DRDO and DARPA

• India’s expanded participation in multilateral naval exercises

• Strategic visits by key US defense officials and lawmakers to Indian facilities

These engagements are helping reshape the India-US defence partnership into a more integrated and outcome-driven alliance.

Toward a Future-Ready Strategic Alliance

The latest exchange between Shri Rajnath Singh and Mr. Pete Hegseth underscores the importance of institutionalized high-level communication in driving the next phase of India-US defence collaboration.

As India advances its ambition to become a leading defence producer and exporter, and the US looks to strengthen reliable partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, this bilateral relationship is poised to become a cornerstone of regional and global security architecture in the years ahead.