India, US Deepen Indo-Pacific Defense Ties at Talisman Sabre
Strategic Cooperation Explored Amid Major Military Drills
Top defense officials from India and the United States convened on Sunday during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. Their discussions focused on bolstering strategic military collaboration, enhancing regional security coordination, and improving operational readiness across the vital Indo-Pacific theater.
High-Level Engagement in Australia
Air Marshal **Ashutosh Dixit**, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee, met with Lt Gen **Joshua Rudd**, Deputy Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command. This engagement occurred as part of India’s participation in the large-scale multilateral exercise hosted in Australia.
Discussions centered on deepening defense cooperation. Both sides explored future operational opportunities and joint initiatives aimed at preserving peace and stability within the Indo-Pacific. The Integrated Defence Staff shared that these talks underscored a shared commitment to regional security.
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.
— Integrated Defence Staff (@_IntegratedDef) July 27, 2025
Broader Momentum in Bilateral Relations
This meeting highlights the robust growth in India-US strategic relations, particularly within the defense sector. The partnership has experienced significant expansion in recent years, reflecting a shared strategic vision.
Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister **S Jaishankar** met with US Secretary of Defense **Pete Hegseth** at the Pentagon. Both leaders acknowledged the increasing depth of defense collaboration between their nations.
“I am here with you at the Pentagon because we believe that our defence partnership is, today, truly one of the most consequential.”
—S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India
**Pete Hegseth** expressed enthusiasm for the continued progress, noting India’s successful integration of numerous US defense systems. He also emphasized a shared vision for advancing industrial cooperation and defense production capabilities.
“The US is very pleased for the successful integration of many US defense items… Building on this progress, we hope we can complete several major pending US defense sales to India, expand our shared defense industrial cooperation and co-production networks, strengthen interoperability… and formally sign a new framework of US-India major defence partnership.”
—Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of Defense
The collaboration aims to address common strategic goals and efficiently meet India’s evolving defense needs. This intensified pace of high-level defense interactions follows Prime Minister **Narendra Modi’s** visit to the US earlier this year. During that visit, plans were announced to finalize a new ten-year framework for the US-India Major Defense Partnership.
The integration of US-origin platforms into India’s military inventory, including aircraft like the C-130J Super Hercules and P-8i Poseidon, along with systems such as the MQ-9B drones, exemplifies this deepening cooperation. As of 2023, the US accounted for over 60% of India’s defense imports, underscoring the significant reliance and partnership. The two nations are also pursuing joint production deals for critical equipment like Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles.
Talisman Sabre: A Platform for Interoperability
Exercise Talisman Sabre, a cornerstone of multinational military drills in the Indo-Pacific, provides an essential platform for India and the US. It allows them to enhance interoperability and strengthen coordination, essential for maintaining regional stability.