Wed Jul 02 06:27:39 UTC 2025: **Here’s a summary of the text:**

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Washington D.C. on July 1, 2025. The meeting focused on strengthening the India-U.S. defense partnership, emphasizing converging interests, capabilities, and responsibilities, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The U.S. expressed its intention to finalize several major pending defense sales to India, highlighting the shared understanding of regional security concerns. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and discussed future cooperation, including participation in the India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem Summit to foster innovation in defense technology and manufacturing.

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**U.S. and India Deepen Defense Ties, Aim to Finalize Major Arms Deals**

**Washington D.C. – July 2, 2025** – The United States and India have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their defense partnership, with both nations emphasizing their shared security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region. The announcement came after a meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on Tuesday.

Secretary Hegseth stated the U.S. hopes to complete several major pending American defense sales to India. He also underscored Washington’s commitment to providing India with the tools needed to address regional threats.

Minister Jaishankar described the defense partnership as a “consequential pillar” of the relationship, built on converging interests and a shared vision for strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Both officials highlighted the progress made in integrating U.S. defense equipment into India’s military. Further collaboration, including a new 10-year Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defence Partnership, is expected to be signed soon.

Discussions also included plans for the upcoming India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem Summit, aimed at fostering innovation and cooperation in defense technology and manufacturing.

The meeting underscores the deepening strategic alignment between the two nations, driven by a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and a recognition of the growing complexity of global security challenges.

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