New Delhi: Amid the strife in bilateral ties over tariffs, India and the US held another round of 2 + 2 intersessional dialogue at the official level to advance bilateral initiatives, discussing regional security developments, shared strategic priorities and also trade and investment. Both sides also agreed to ramp up defence cooperation.Energy security, including efforts to strengthen civil-nuclear cooperation, critical minerals exploration, counternarcotics and counterterrorism cooperation were other focus areas in the talks held virtually.According to a joint statement, both sides looked forward to increasing defence cooperation, including signing a new ten-year framework for the India-US Major Defense Partnership, as well as advancing defence industrial, science and technology cooperation, operational coordination, and information-sharing.“Participants agreed to build upon the progress made in these areas under the auspices of the India – US COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st century and beyond,” said the statement. The COMPACT initiative was one of the main takeaways from PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in Feb.The dialogue concluded with the chairs expressing their appreciation for the productive meeting, it said.