Quad is a ‘very important platform’, India an ‘active’ participant

14 FEBRUARY 2026

The Quadrilateral Strategic Dialogue (Quad) remains a “very important platform” for the United States under its Indo-Pacific strategy, according to S. Paul Kapur, the Trump administration’s top diplomat for South and Central Asia.
Testifying before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, Mr. Kapur described India as an “active” and “important” participant in the grouping, alongside the U.S., Japan and Australia.

U.S.–India Defence Cooperation Framework, 2025

Following the signing of a new 10-year defence cooperation framework in October 2025, the U.S. and India are:
expanding joint military exercises
Increasing interoperability
Exploring major U.S. defence sales to India
Mr. Kapur said pending weapons purchases would:
Strengthen India’s sovereignty
Support U.S. jobs
Deepen strategic alignment
He emphasised that a “strong, independent and prosperous India” serves U.S. strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.
He argued that a strong India effectively balances China’s influence, including its Belt and Road Initiative.

U.S.–India trade framework agreement negotiations

Mr. Kapur linked the recent U.S.–India trade framework agreement between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi to fresh momentum in bilateral ties.
Despite earlier tensions he stated that cooperation was progressing on “most axes.”
Trade rift between US and India included:
A 50% tariff on India
A $100,000 fee on certain H-1B visas

Energy and Russia

Mr. Kapur said India is reducing purchases of Russian oil, diversifying energy sources and increasing imports of U.S. energy.
This aligns with U.S. strategic objectives amid the Ukraine conflict.

Pakistan