New Delhi, India, Aug. 26: India and the United States discussed ways to broaden cooperation in the Indian Ocean region during a phone call between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and U.S. Under Secretary of State Allison M. Hooker, focusing on maritime security, strategic infrastructure and connectivity.
Taking to social media platform X on Tuesday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said both sides explored opportunities for practical cooperation and greater complementarity across the region.
“Foreign Secretary @VikramMisri held a productive call with U.S. Under Secretary of State Allison M. Hooker to advance discussions on the India-U.S. Indian Ocean Strategic Venture (IOSV) initiative, launched by the leaders of the two countries in February 2025,” Jaiswal wrote on X.
The MEA spokesperson noted that the discussions covered areas where New Delhi and Washington could collaborate while taking into account the priorities of partner nations in the Indian Ocean region.
“Both sides discussed opportunities for practical cooperation and complementarity in the Indian Ocean Region, including maritime security, strategic infrastructure and connectivity, in line with the priorities of partner countries,” he said.
The Indian Ocean Strategic Venture (IOSV) is a bilateral initiative established by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump following high-level talks in Washington in February 2025. It aims to enhance practical cooperation across the Indian Ocean region.
The mechanism focuses on key areas including maritime security, strategic infrastructure, connectivity, investment and commerce, with both nations seeking greater coordination while aligning with the priorities of regional partner states.
The initiative aligns with the broader India-U.S. effort to strengthen connectivity and security throughout the Indian Ocean.
Both sides have emphasized cooperation on undersea cable networks, highlighting New Delhi’s involvement in the maintenance, repair and financing of cables through trusted vendors. They have also identified potential partnerships spanning the western Indian Ocean, West Asia and the Indo-Pacific across defense, technology, energy and critical minerals. (ANI)
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