Indian Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri recently concluded a three-day visit to Washington, D.C. from May 27-29, 2025, where he held high-level engagements with senior officials of the U.S. Administration. This follow-up visit comes after Prime Minister's visit to the United States in February 2025, during which both countries launched the India-U.S. COMPACT for the 21st Century.
During his trip, Foreign Secretary Misri engaged in wide-ranging discussions with counterparts across various departments, including the Department of State, National Security Council, Department of Defense, Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Commerce. The key pillars identified for shaping the India-US partnership in the 21st century were Technology, Trade, and Talent.
In a luncheon meeting with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, both sides reviewed the full spectrum of their bilateral agenda, emphasizing the importance of these three areas. They also reaffirmed their commitment to a robust and forward-looking defense partnership, discussing co-production and co-development initiatives, joint military exercises, logistics, information-sharing frameworks, and enhancing interoperability between armed forces.
Foreign Secretary Misri also met with Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg and Under Secretary for Policy Elbridge Colby, where they reaffirmed their commitment to a robust defense partnership. Discussions focused on co-production and co-development initiatives, joint military exercises, logistics, information-sharing frameworks, and enhancing interoperability between armed forces.
Additionally, the Foreign Secretary held discussions with Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender, focusing on ways to deepen economic and financial ties, including collaboration in international financial institutions and coordination in upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) processes. He also met with Under Secretary of Commerce Jeffrey Kessler, reviewing progress on the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement and cooperation in critical and emerging technologies.
The visit was consistent with the vision outlined in the COMPACT, with detailed inter-agency discussions held on strategic areas including defense cooperation, energy security, TRUST initiative, counter-terrorism, the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture, and collaboration through platforms such as the Quad, I2U2, and IMEEC. Foreign Secretary Misri also chaired a roundtable with industry representatives, focusing on deepening bilateral collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.
Furthermore, he held a substantive interaction with members of the think tank community, covering the full breadth of the India-US strategic partnership. The visit marked an important step towards strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries, as they work together to address global challenges and promote peace and stability.