Washington, Dec. 7 -- A new milestone was reached last week in the growing U.S.-India partnership when nearly 2,000 troops from the two countries completed a military exercise in the Bay of Bengal.

About 500 Marines and sailors aboard the dock landing ship Germantown joined roughly 1,200 Indian troops for Exercise Tiger Triumph. It was the first time all of India's military services, including the army, navy and air force, participated in a training exercise with U.S. troops.

The nine-day exercise ended on Nov. 21.

The U.S. and India signed a defense agreement last year. Then-Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said at the time the two countries would "work together for a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific."

Military leaders and defense expert...