US-India strategic talks to focus on defence, trade and Indo-pacific security

Washington: The United States is intensifying diplomatic engagement with India this week, sending senior officials to New Delhi as tensions escalate in West Asia. 

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau will visit India from March 3 to 6, leading the US delegation at the 2026 Raisina Dialogue, which the State Department describes as “India’s premier geopolitical forum.” Landau’s visit aims to advance America First policy priorities while deepening US-India strategic and economic ties.

During his trip, Landau is scheduled to meet senior Indian officials to discuss bilateral cooperation in defence, critical minerals, and counternarcotics. The discussions will also focus on expanding trade and market access for American businesses and promoting a “free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” according to the US Department of State.

“The visit comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions in West Asia,” the Department said, highlighting the regional security dimension of the outreach.

Also Read| ‘The Iran war could go longer than four weeks,’ says Trump

In parallel, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S Paul Kapur is in New Delhi from March 1 to 3, engaging Indian counterparts on regional security, Indo-Pacific priorities, and US-India cooperation. The US Embassy emphasised that Kapur’s visit “builds upon recent momentum to advance a robust and mutually beneficial US-India partnership.”

The Raisina Dialogue has become India’s flagship strategic platform, attracting global leaders, ministers, and security experts. The high-level US delegation underscores India’s growing significance in Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

Also Read| US steps up outreach to India amid West Asia tensions

Over the past decade, US-India defence and strategic collaboration has expanded significantly, including agreements on military coordination, critical minerals, emerging technologies, and energy security—key areas expected to dominate discussions during this week’s engagement in New Delhi.

IANS