India and the United States (US) might be going through one of their worst phases, marked by high tariffs, trade deal delay among other things, but efforts to mend the ties seem to be on. Days after new US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor signalled positive sentiments on the much awaited trade deal, another US official paid a visit to India.
Gor on Tuesday (January 20, 2026) welcomed US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll on his arrival in India, signalling continued high-level engagement between the two countries despite ongoing trade tensions. “A very warm welcome to my friend, @SecArmy Dan Driscoll to India!” Gor said in a post on X.
The welcome came as Gor said senior US government officials will regularly travel to India as Washington looks to deepen cooperation with New Delhi and take the bilateral partnership “to the next level.” His remarks followed what the US embassy described as a “productive visit” by Senator Steve Daines, a member of the powerful US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who was in India from January 17 to 19, 2026.
US Army Secretary’s India visit: What to expect?
While nothing has been made public, a Hindu Businessline report claimed that Driscoll is expected to meet External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and other government officials for a bilateral defence engagement. On his maiden India visit since his appointment as Secretary of the Army last February, Drsicoll could also seek a meeting with the defence ministry.
The report added that the US Army Secretary is also eyeing a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to ensure that the military dialogue is not made hostage to the trade tariff war. After that, US Army Secretary Driscoll could also visit the Indian Army’s 50th Parachute Brigade, known as the Shatrujeet Brigade.
US focus on defence, Indo-Pacific and supply chains
Prior to Driscoll, Senator Daines was in India during which he held meetings with EAM Jaishankar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and members of Parliament. Discussions focused on expanding US–India defence cooperation, strengthening supply chain security, and reinforcing the strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific.
The embassy said the engagements were key to advancing shared security interests and preserving a stable and open region.
Meanwhile, the US had in November 2025 gave a go-ahead to a $93 million defence deal on India’s request to buy up to 216 Excalibur artillery munitions and 100 Javelin anti-tank missile systems.
Trade frictions remain in the background
While diplomatic outreach has intensified, differences over trade continue to cloud ties. Senator Daines used the visit to press for favourable provisions for US pulse crop exports in any future trade agreement with India, reflecting domestic priorities of the Trump administration.
Daines said he urged faster progress toward a “fair and reciprocal bilateral trade deal”, adding that he would continue to work with President Donald Trump on the issue.
Why the visit of US officials matters more now
Relations between New Delhi and Washington have faced strain since the US imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports last year, including a 25% punitive levy linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, delaying momentum on a long-pending trade agreement.
By signalling regular visits by senior officials and prioritising defence and strategic cooperation, Washington appears keen to stabilise and recalibrate ties with India, even as trade negotiations remain unresolved.