India–US Defence ties get major boost: DRDO hosts high-stakes talks, signs key project deal amid trade breakthrough

The meeting was co-chaired by DRDO Director General (Production Coordination & Services Interaction) Dr Chandrika Kaushik and US Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies under the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research & Engineering, Michael Francis Dodd.

The plenary was held in line with the vision and policy guidance of the India–US Major Defence Partnership framework signed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in October 2025.

During the discussions, both sides reviewed ongoing collaboration in defence science and technology, addressed associated challenges, and examined proposals to further strengthen cooperation in critical and emerging defence technologies to meet evolving security requirements.

“The discussions also focused on enhancing the participation of university-affiliated research centres, defence laboratories, and industries in cooperative research and development initiatives,” a government statement said.

The meeting also explored potential collaboration between DRDO and the US Defence Innovation Unit under the Innovation Bridge framework. The plenary concluded with the signing of a project agreement.

Senior officials, scientists and technocrats from institutions and laboratories under the US Department of War and the Department of State participated in the meeting, along with DRDO scientists and representatives from India’s Tri-Services, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the National Security Council Secretariat.

The meeting took place amid renewed momentum in India–US ties following the announcement of a new bilateral trade agreement after months of negotiations and trade-related tensions.