“Secretary Hegseth emphasised the precedence america locations on India as its key defence associate in South Asia,” the Pentagon stated.

It stated the 2 leaders reviewed the ‘appreciable progress’ each nations have made towards attaining the defence objectives set out within the February 2025 joint assertion by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The 2 mentioned pending main US defence gross sales to India and the crucial of shut defence industrial cooperation between the 2 nations,” the Pentagon readout stated with out offering additional particulars.

Within the cellphone dialog on Tuesday, Singh urged Hegseth to expedite the supply of GE F404 engines to energy the Tejas Mild Fight Plane, individuals accustomed to the matter stated.

Singh additionally pitched for early finalisation of a proposed deal between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and US defence main GE Aerospace for joint manufacturing of F414 jet engines in India, they stated. The delays in provide of F404 engines by GE Aerospace have resulted in HAL lacking the deadline to provide Tejas Mark 1A plane to the Indian Air Drive.

An Indian readout on Tuesday stated Singh and Hegseth mentioned a large canvas of points, starting from long-term cooperation within the defence sector, together with coaching and army exchanges, to increasing business collaborations.

“They agreed to additional construct upon the momentum of this crucial & mutually helpful partnership throughout all its pillars, resembling interoperability, integration of defence industrial provide chains, logistics sharing, elevated joint army workouts and cooperation with different like-minded companions,” it stated.