Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Washington this week marked a significant step forward in the deepening partnership between India and the United States, especially in the areas of trade and emerging technologies. In a key meeting with US Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler on Tuesday, the two leaders explored new avenues to bolster strategic cooperation, reflecting a shared vision for enhanced bilateral ties in the 21st century.
Focus on Critical and Emerging Technologies
According to a statement from the Indian Embassy in Washington, Vikram Misri and Kessler discussed strengthening collaboration in critical and emerging technologies, a domain central to the evolving global power dynamic. A photograph of the meeting was shared on social media by the embassy, with a caption emphasizing the goal of advancing joint efforts in technology.
The discussions also focused on the early convening of the India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue. This dialogue aims to promote deeper engagement in areas such as semiconductor supply chains, artificial intelligence, and defence-related tech innovation, aligning with both countries’ aspirations to lead in innovation-driven economies.
Building on the COMPACT Framework
Vikram Misri’s visit from May 27–29 is part of the ongoing efforts to implement outcomes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US visit in February 2025. During that visit, the India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology) initiative was launched, laying a foundation for future defence and tech collaborations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that Vikram Misri’s engagements in Washington are strategically important in sustaining the momentum generated by the COMPACT framework. His meetings with senior US officials are aimed at ensuring continuity in bilateral efforts, particularly in economic and technological domains.
Prior to his US trip, Vikram Misri had also briefed four multi-party delegations from India, including ones led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad. These delegations are scheduled to travel to global capitals with the mission to counter Pakistan’s narrative on terrorism. Vikram Misri emphasized the need to highlight clear evidence linking the recent Pahalgam terror attack to Pakistan-based actors, aiming to expose attempts to mischaracterize India’s counter-terror efforts.
