Defence Secretary Meets US Congressional Delegation, Discusses Strengthening India-US Defence Cooperation

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Monday held discussions with a bipartisan US Congressional delegation led by Representative Brian Mast on deepening the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, with particular emphasis on advancing defence industrial and technological cooperation.

Following the meeting, the Ministry of Defence posted on X that Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh had met a bipartisan delegation from the United States House of Representatives led by Representative Brian Mast, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The discussions focused on the evolving India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, with special emphasis on defence industrial and technological cooperation.

Yudh Abhyas 2026 Highlights Military Cooperation

Last week, as part of Exercise “Yudh Abhyas 2026”, contingents of the Indian Army and the US Army trained side by side across multiple platforms and operational scenarios, sharpening interoperability and deepening mutual understanding of each other’s tactics, techniques and procedures.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also witnessed the India-US joint military exercise at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan and highlighted the strength of the defence partnership between the two countries. He said the exercise reflected trust, readiness, interoperability and shared purpose.

Gor made the remarks after watching Indian and US troops train together during the exercise at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.

“Impressive to see US and Indian forces training together at Mahajan Field Firing Range. This exercise reflects the strength of our defence partnership: trust, readiness, interoperability, and shared purpose. Proud of what the US Army and Indian Army are achieving together,” Gor said in a post on X.

Joint Training Across Mountainous and Desert Terrain

According to the Indian Army, participating contingents from both countries trained through coordinated drills, synchronised battle procedures and combined-arms employment. The training strengthened mutual understanding, operational coordination, confidence and the ability to operate together across diverse battlefields.

The Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information said on X that Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 witnessed enhanced interoperability between the Indian Army and US Army through integrated training across mountainous and desert terrain. Training covered small-arms firing, artillery activities, long-range weapon systems and attack helicopter operations.

The exercise strengthened mutual understanding, operational coordination, trust and the ability of the two armies to work together across diverse warfighting environments, the Indian Army said.