India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is currently on a three-day visit to Washington DC from May 27 to 29, aimed at reinforcing the ambitious India-US COMPACT initiative launched earlier this year during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States. This high-level engagement reflects the growing momentum in India-US bilateral relations, particularly in the domains of defence collaboration, technological cooperation, and trade acceleration.

Background: The India-US COMPACT Initiative

The India-US COMPACT — Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology — is a comprehensive bilateral framework launched in February 2025 during the high-profile meeting between PM Modi and President Donald Trump. It aims to deepen strategic collaboration across three core sectors:

• Military Partnership

• Commerce Acceleration

• Technology Exchange

The COMPACT sets a result-oriented roadmap with specific deliverables expected throughout the year to demonstrate trust and progress in the India-US relationship.

Purpose of Misri’s Visit to Washington

Misri’s visit is described as a follow-up mission to Prime Minister Modi’s February engagement, and is expected to focus on several key objectives:

1. Reaffirming COMPACT commitments made during the Modi-Trump summit.

2. Pushing for appointments in the US administration, particularly in the State Department, Department of Defence, and the crucial post of US Ambassador to India, which have remained vacant since January.

3. Addressing communication gaps that have emerged between New Delhi and Washington due to the absence of point persons for India within the US government.

These posts are essential for maintaining a steady dialogue and coordination, especially when India and the US are navigating complex global geopolitical shifts and seeking to expand cooperation in semiconductors, defence manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and critical infrastructure.

The Diplomatic Vacuum in the US Administration

According to reports by The Hindu, a major concern for Indian officials has been the lack of appointments in several key roles responsible for managing the India portfolio in the US administration. The absence of:

• A permanent US Ambassador to India

• Key officials in the US State Department

• Appointees in the US Department of Defence dealing with India policy

has created bottlenecks in diplomatic communication and policy implementation.

Misri is expected to raise this issue strongly in his meetings with senior Trump administration officials, urging a swift resolution to ensure smoother execution of the COMPACT’s action agenda.

Strategic Significance of the Visit

This visit gains significance not only as a continuation of high-level diplomatic engagements, but also as a signal of New Delhi’s intent to hold the Trump administration accountable to the strategic roadmap agreed in February.

India is expected to push for early implementation in areas such as:

• Joint defence production and exports

• Increased technology exchange in semiconductors and critical infrastructure

• Enhanced market access and investment flows

By elevating the COMPACT framework, India seeks to move beyond traditional diplomacy and embed the bilateral relationship in 21st-century growth areas that benefit both nations.

Challenges Ahead

Despite strong public rhetoric on both sides, the India-US relationship has faced bureaucratic inertia due to vacancies in the US administration and conflicting global priorities. India also remains concerned about policy unpredictability in Washington, especially in light of the 2026 midterms and potential shifts in Congressional support for foreign pacts.

Moreover, India’s neutrality on global issues, including its stance on Russia and positions in the Global South, sometimes complicates the alignment of interests with the US.

Misri’s trip is being closely watched not just by diplomatic observers, but also by the strategic community, industry leaders, and global analysts as a litmus test for the viability of the COMPACT initiative.

Outlook: What Comes Next

The outcome of Misri’s visit will likely shape the pace and success of several bilateral engagements scheduled for later this year, including:

• The India-US 2+2 Dialogue

• Joint Defence Working Group sessions

• Ministerial-level commercial cooperation talks

• A potential high-level technology forum under the COMPACT umbrella

If this visit succeeds in pressing for key appointments and resolving current delays, it could reignite momentum in one of the most crucial bilateral relationships of this decade.

Conclusion

Vikram Misri’s Washington visit is not a routine diplomatic engagement — it is a strategic mission to repair administrative gaps, push forward an ambitious bilateral agenda, and ensure delivery of promises made under the India-US COMPACT.

India and the United States stand at a pivotal moment, and Misri’s interactions this week may well determine how rapidly — and effectively — the two countries can turn their shared vision into measurable action.

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