Senior Indian and US officials held virtual consultations this week, reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation across multiple sectors even as trade tensions and tariff threats strain ties.

The US readout of the U.S.-India 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue, held Monday, highlighted “advancing bilateral initiatives” and constructive talks on trade, security, and strategic issues. India’s External Affairs Ministry released a similar statement, noting shared eagerness to strengthen the relationship “for the benefit of the people of both nations.”

Discussions covered trade and investment, energy security, civil-nuclear cooperation, critical minerals, counternarcotics, and counterterrorism. Both sides also reaffirmed commitment to the Quad grouping with Japan and Australia, and progress toward signing a new 10-year framework for the Major Defence Partnership.

The talks came as Washington prepared new punitive tariffs of 25 percent on Indian goods, following earlier reciprocal measures by New Delhi.

The dialogue was co-chaired by India’s External Affairs Additional Secretary Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur and Defence Joint Secretary Vishwesh Negi, alongside US officials Bethany Morrison and Jedidiah P. Royal.

The intersessional dialogue, held between ministerial-level 2+2 meetings, serves to review progress and set priorities until the next high-level engagement. The last 2+2 ministerial took place in November in New Delhi.

Despite US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of mediating India’s Operation Sindoor conflict through trade leverage—claims India firmly denies—both countries signaled determination to advance cooperation in defence, security, and economic areas.