Aero India 2025: Top US commander weighs in on deepening India-US ties amid China challenge in Indo-Pacific

Asia’s biggest air show – Aero India 2025 – will see the participation of F-35 Lightning II. This is the first time that the fifth-generation combat jet will take part in the exhibition that began today. The US sees this platform as the key opportunity to strengthen ties with India.

Talking to The Hindustan Times, US Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kevin Schneider said that Indo-American ties are of great importance, more so when China is trying to embolden its presence in the Indo-Pacific region. According to an official statement released by the US, more than two dozen American exhibitors will participate in the show. The companies will showcase their latest innovations, defence electronics and stealth jets.

The HT report said that US embassy chargé d'affaires Jorgan Andrews will lead a delegation that will see officials from US department of Defence, State and Commerce. Ahead of the show, Andrews said that Aero India is the moment that highlights strong Indo-US defence ties.

India and US have seen several key deals since last year. In October 2024, India had inked $3.5 billion-defence deal for the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B drones. Experts say that New Delhi has signed this acquisition with China in mind.

There are also reports that India’s HAL is also in talks with GE for F414 engines’ joint production.

Aero India 2025 was inaugurated by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday. According to the statement issued by defence ministry, the Aero India is being organized in an area spanning 42,000 sq m.