US Congress Panel To Review Progress In India–US Strategic Partnership Next Week

A key committee in the United States Congress will hold a public hearing next week to evaluate the progress of the India–US strategic relationship, with a spotlight on defence cooperation, economic engagement, and diplomatic coordination.

As per a notice released by the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, the session, titled ‘The US–India Strategic Partnership: Securing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific’, will take place on 10 December.

The discussions will be led by Congressman Bill Huizenga of Michigan, who chairs the subcommittee, and will feature expert testimony from prominent observers of India’s role in the Indo-Pacific region.

Those scheduled to testify include Jeff Smith, Director of the Asian Studies Centre at the Heritage Foundation; Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of ORF America; and Sameer Lalwani, Senior Fellow for the Indo-Pacific at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

Lawmakers will likely focus on India’s defence modernisation, growing military coordination with the United States, joint technology projects, regional diplomacy, and cooperation to uphold a stable Indo-Pacific order.

The hearing takes place as Washington and New Delhi strengthen collaboration in areas such as maritime security, critical technologies, and resilient supply chains.

The India–US partnership continues to enjoy strong bipartisan backing in Congress, with many lawmakers describing India as an essential partner in the Indo-Pacific strategy.

Such hearings allow members of Congress to review policy, identify challenges, and reaffirm long-term commitments to one of America’s most important global relationships.

Geopolitical Timing

The timing of the hearing coincides with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to New Delhi for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The three witnesses, Smith, Jaishankar, and Lalwani, are respected India specialists based in Washington, DC.

Recent years have also seen major advances through the US–India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), boosting collaboration on artificial intelligence, quantum research, semiconductors, and next-generation defence systems.

The Indo-Pacific focus has significantly elevated India’s strategic relevance in Washington across political, security, and economic domains.

Also Read: President Putin Leaves For India Ahead Of High-Level Summit With PM Modi