‘India-America relationship is the future’: US State Department signals big push on trade, defence and technology ties

The India-US partnership is entering a phase of accelerated cooperation, with the US State Department calling India one of its most important strategic partners and emphasising growing collaboration across trade, technology, energy and defence.

The US State Department official, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Bethany Poulos Morrison, said the Trump administration is working rapidly to strengthen ties between the two countries, calling the relationship a key partnership for the future.

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Speaking at the fourth annual Capitol Hill advocacy event organised by the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) on Tuesday (local time), Morrison said, “The US-India relationship is the future,” while outlining areas including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals, energy security, defence cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

‘One of the most important relationships’

Morrison, who joined the US State Department after spending 11 years in the US Senate and now oversees India and South Asia issues, said she specifically sought the India portfolio because of its importance. “I thought this was one of the most important relationships,” she said.

She also praised the Indian-American community, describing its contribution as a significant part of America’s story as the country approaches its 250th anniversary. “It is a vibrant community; it has contributed immensely,” Morrison said.

Highlighting the role of Indian Americans in major US institutions and companies, she said, “These leaders, Indian American leaders, Microsoft, Google, IBM, Adobe, they are playing key roles in advancing America’s economic product.”

Trade talks gain momentum

Morrison pointed to trade as a major focus area of the bilateral relationship, saying India and the US announced in February 2026 their intention to conclude what she described as a historic trade agreement. “We are very, very close,” she said.

She added that the agreement would open India’s market of 1.4 billion people to American goods “on terms that are reciprocal and mutually beneficial”. She also highlighted the administration’s support for the ‘Mission 500’ target of expanding bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

According to her remarks, bilateral goods trade reached $149 billion in 2025, while US exports to India increased by 9.8 per cent.

“2025 was a historic year when it comes to trade with the US and India,” she said.

Technology, energy and defence push

On technology cooperation, Morrison highlighted the Trust Initiative launched by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing it as a framework focused on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals and emerging technologies.

“The US-India relationship is the future, and that’s why we’re so focused on the key technologies that are going to take us there,” she said.

She also spoke about upcoming meetings between India’s Information Technology Ministry and US officials aimed at advancing technology partnerships and projects.

Energy cooperation, she said, has become another important pillar of ties.

“US-India hydrocarbon trade has expanded significantly since 2025, reaching 14.4 billion today,” she said, referring to growing exchanges involving oil, gas and coal.

Morrison also pointed to expanding opportunities in civil nuclear cooperation following India’s new nuclear legislation.

On defence cooperation, she said, “Our defence relationship is moving at rapid speed.” She noted that Washington and New Delhi signed a 10-year defence framework agreement last October, calling it a “generational commitment” towards co-development, co-production and deeper security cooperation.

People-to-people ties remain key

Morrison stressed that the relationship extends beyond government-level agreements, highlighting education and cultural links between the two countries. “The US-India relationship is sustained by one of the most remarkable people-to-people connections in the world,” she said.

She noted that more than 330,000 Indian students are enrolled in US educational institutions and said exchange programmes have helped build long-term connections. “Deals, trade deals can be signed, defence frameworks can be negotiated, but it’s these human connections that make all of this possible,” Morrison said.

Concluding her remarks, Morrison said the partnership was being shaped by outcomes rather than symbolism. “At the end of the day, this partnership isn’t built on sentiment; it’s built on results,” she said.