A prominent US congressional subcommittee is set to hold a public hearing next week to evaluate how the India–US strategic partnership is evolving, particularly in defense, economic cooperation, and diplomatic engagement. Lawmakers aim to understand how the relationship is shaping regional stability and long-term Indo-Pacific policy.
The session, titled “The US–India Strategic Partnership: Securing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” is scheduled for December 10, according to an official notice issued by the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on South and Central Asia.
The panel will be led by Congressman Bill Huizenga of Michigan, who chairs the subcommittee. Members will hear from several well-known experts who closely follow India’s rising strategic weight in the Indo-Pacific region.
Among those invited to testify are Jeff Smith, Director of the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation; Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of ORF America; and Sameer Lalwani, Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund’s Indo-Pacific Program. Their insights are expected to provide lawmakers with a detailed view of India’s expanding role in regional security and global diplomacy.
The hearing will explore India’s ongoing defense modernization efforts, growing military coordination with the United States, and deepening cooperation in critical technologies. Discussions will also cover shared initiatives in maritime surveillance, supply-chain resilience, and ensuring a rules-based Indo-Pacific order. The review comes at a time when Washington and New Delhi are strengthening joint projects across advanced tech, ocean security, and economic diversification.
The India–US relationship continues to enjoy strong bipartisan support in Congress. Many lawmakers regard India as a foundational partner in America’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Hearings such as this allow policymakers to evaluate progress, identify challenges, and reinforce their commitment to one of the US’s most strategically significant partnerships.
The announcement of the hearing coincides with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrival in New Delhi for a two-day state visit, adding geopolitical context to the timing of the congressional review.
