US defence official Colby to visit India as Washington seeks to shore up ties amid Iran war

US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby will visit India for talks with senior officials to advance defence ties, the US Department of War said on Tuesday, March 24, calling the relationship between the two countries “critical” as the US-Israel war on Iran has progressed into the fourth week. 

The meeting to implement goals set out by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2025 comes at a time when the US finds dwindling military support in the West, especially among NATO countries.    

Colby’s visit also seeks a framework for the US-India major defence partnership, according to the release. The two countries had signed a 10-year defence framework agreement to expand military cooperation, technology sharing and coordination, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced in October 2025. 

His visit was also confirmed by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.

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Recent developments show the US could be looking to squeeze out support from India after facing outright denials from countries like Spain and Germany, while others dismissed the Iran attacks as not being a NATO mission.   

The visit also comes as India admittedly faces an “unprecedented” energy crisis from the war and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Prime Minister Modi told the Parliament the previous day that India has economic ties with most countries caught in the war. “Movement of ships from the Strait of Hormuz has become very difficult… We are focusing on ensuring enough supplies of petrol and diesel and other fuel,” he said.