Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri Engages with US Deputy Secretary of Defence Kathleen Hicks at the Pentagon

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently engaged in discussions with US Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks at the Pentagon. Their talks focused on enhancing the US-India defence partnership through industrial cooperation, technological innovation, and operational collaboration. This meeting underscored the commitment of both nations to strengthen their defence ties.

Pentagon spokesperson Eric Pahon shared that Hicks expressed gratitude for India's robust support of maritime security and logistics initiatives. These initiatives were highlighted at the Quad Leaders Summit held last weekend. Hicks emphasised that the United States and India are forging new paths in cooperation, which will bolster security for both nations and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Defence Industrial Cooperation

The leaders discussed ongoing projects aimed at co-producing jet engines, land mobility systems, and munitions. They also reviewed progress within the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X), which aims to foster joint innovation among defence industry stakeholders in both countries. This initiative is pivotal in advancing defence industrial cooperation between the two nations.

Hicks highlighted the recent success of the INDUS-X Summit. This event led to the announcement of a new joint innovation challenge focused on space domain technologies. Additionally, an upgraded memorandum of understanding was established between the US Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and India's Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) office.

Regional Security and Operational Cooperation

The discussion also covered regional security issues and various operational cooperation initiatives. These efforts aim to promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Hicks stressed the importance of advancing progress across all areas of the major defence partnership between India and the United States.

Hicks pledged to deepen cooperation to support a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. This commitment reflects a mutual desire to enhance security collaboration and address regional challenges effectively.

The meeting between Misri and Hicks signifies a continued effort to strengthen US-India relations through strategic defence partnerships. Both nations remain committed to fostering innovation and cooperation in defence technologies, ensuring regional stability, and promoting shared security goals.