Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi met US Secretary of the Army Daniel P. Driscoll in New Delhi on Sunday to discuss ways to strengthen defence cooperation and enhance military-to-military engagement between the two countries.
In a post on X, the Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information said, “Mr Daniel P. Driscoll, US Secretary of the Army, called on General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, deepening military-to-military engagement, and reinforcing the shared commitment of both armies to global peace and security.”
Earlier this week, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti extended a warm welcome to Driscoll upon his arrival in New Delhi. “A very warm welcome to my friend, US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, to India,” Garcetti posted on X.
Previously, on January 13, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during which they reviewed key areas of cooperation, including civil nuclear energy, trade discussions, and regional security in the Indo-Pacific.
“Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence, and energy. Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues,” Jaishankar said after the call.
During the conversation, Rubio congratulated India on enacting the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, a recent law that forms part of India’s nuclear energy framework, according to US Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
Pigott said the United States is interested in building on the new legislation to strengthen civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries. “He expressed interest in capitalising on this important development to enhance US-India civil nuclear cooperation, expand opportunities for American companies, advance shared energy security goals, and secure critical mineral supply chains,” Pigott said.
The two sides also discussed ongoing negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement and their shared interest in strengthening economic ties. “They also exchanged perspectives on regional developments, reaffirming the United States’ and India’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Pigott added.
Defence cooperation between India and the United States is guided by the “New Framework for India-US Defence Cooperation,” which was renewed for a 10-year period in 2015. In 2016, the relationship was designated as a Major Defence Partnership. In 2018, India was placed in Tier-1 of the US Department of Commerce’s Strategic Trade Authorisation licence exception, according to a statement from the Indian Embassy in the US.
Bilateral defence cooperation is multifaceted and includes regular institutionalised dialogue, joint military exercises, and defence procurements.
— IANS
