New Delhi: A bipartisan US Congressional delegation, which concluded its four day visit to New Delhi, has reinforced defense cooperation and strategic alignment with India—despite ongoing bilateral tensions under President Donald Trump, marked by punitive tariffs and strained trade talks.
Led by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Michael Rogers and Ranking Member Adam Smith, the delegation visited New Delhi from January 24–28, 2026, a press note issued by the US embassy in New Delhi said.
The visit happened amid heightened US-India frictions since Trump’s return to office in 2025, including the imposition of up to 50% tariffs on Indian goods (with additional levies tied to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil), stalled bilateral trade negotiations, and public criticisms from Trump labeling India a “dead economy.”
These measures, aimed at pressuring New Delhi on energy sourcing and trade imbalances, have prompted India to diversify partnerships—most notably through its recent landmark Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, widely viewed as a hedge against US economic coercion.
The delegation, which also included Representative Jimmy Patronis and senior committee staff, met with key Indian officials, including External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
Discussions extended to Indian and American defense industry leaders, focusing on expanding cooperation, accelerating technology collaboration, and identifying opportunities for co-development and co-production to support shared security objectives in the Indo-Pacific.
Chairman Rogers emphasized the enduring value of the partnership, stating: “The United States values India as a Major Defense Partner. Our discussions in New Delhi focused on strengthening defense cooperation and advancing defense technology collaboration that supports India’s defense modernization and enhances regional stability.”
Ranking Member Smith highlighted the importance of candid dialogue: “The relationship between the United States and India is extremely important for both of our countries and the world. Our ability to conduct the kind of candid dialogue we have carried out on this delegation is crucial to strengthening our defense cooperation and regional stability, providing both economic and national security benefits for all involved.”
As per the press statement issued by the embassy, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor added: “Chairman Rogers’ visit and meetings with Indian leaders and defense experts advanced practical cooperation on protecting Americans and Indians as well as people throughout the region. These discussions strengthened ongoing defense collaboration, supported India’s defense modernization goals, and reinforced our shared commitment to stability in the Indo-Pacific.”
The engagements underscore bipartisan US support for deepening ties with India as a counterbalance to regional challenges, particularly China’s assertiveness—even as executive-branch policies have introduced economic headwinds.
The delegation’s focus on practical steps like joint technology initiatives and co-production aims to sustain momentum in defense despite broader strains.
