US Defence Ties — India Needs To Keep Its Eyes Open

Syllabus: GS2/International Relations; GS3/Security

Context

• The evolving defence partnership between India and the United States has brought significant advancements in technology sharing, joint exercises, and defence procurement, it raises critical questions about India’s strategic autonomy.

India-US Defense Ties

Cold War Period (1947-1991):

• Early Engagement (1947-1962): Initially, India and the US maintained diplomatic ties with limited military cooperation.
• Sino-Indian War (1962): The first major defense cooperation, though  short-lived, occurred when the US and the UK provided military aid to India during its border conflict with China.
• US-Pakistan Alliance (1954-1971): Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement (1954) and SEATO (1954) and CENTO (1955), which provided Pakistan with advanced American weaponry.
• Bangladesh Liberation War and Indo-Soviet Treaty (1971): India, in response to US’s support to Pakistan, signed the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation (1971), further distancing itself from the US. 
• Post-1974 Relations and Nuclear Sanctions: – India’s nuclear test in 1974 (Smiling Buddha) led to US sanctions and a reduction in defense cooperation.
  • The US, under its non-proliferation policy, imposed restrictions on India’s access to advanced military technology.
• India’s Non-alignment Policy and Strategic Partnership with the Soviet Union limited defense engagement with the US.

Post-Cold War Period (1991-2000):

• Economic Reforms and Strategic Shift (1991): India’s economic liberalization in 1991 brought both countries closer.
  • The US recognized India’s growing strategic importance in Asia.
• Defense Cooperation Initiated (1995): – The signing of the Agreed Minute on Defense Relations in 1995 marked the beginning of formal military ties.
  • It enabled military-to-military contacts and high-level defense dialogues.
• Nuclear Tests and Sanctions (1998): India’s nuclear tests in 1998 (Pokhran-II) resulted in renewed US sanctions under the Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act.
  • However, diplomatic efforts led to a gradual lifting of these restrictions by 2001.

Post-9/11 Era (2001-2010):

• Defense Policy Group (DPG) Revived (2001): Both nations resumed high-level defense talks and intelligence-sharing post-9/11.
• New Framework for US-India Defense Relationship (2005): It laid the foundation for deeper military cooperation, joint exercises, and technology transfers.
• US-India Civil Nuclear Deal (2008): The landmark 123 Agreement removed nuclear-related sanctions and enhanced strategic trust between both nations.

Modern Era (2010-Present): Comprehensive Defense Partnership

• Defense Trade and Military Procurement: India is one of the largest importers of US defense equipment, purchasing advanced military hardware such as:
  • C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft;
  • Apache AH-64E and Chinook CH-47 helicopters;
  • MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for the Indian Navy;
  • P-8I Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft;
  • Predator MQ-9B drones for surveillance and reconnaissance;
• US designated India as a Major Defense Partner (MDP) in 2016, a status that facilitates defense trade and technology transfers at levels comparable to America’s closest allies.
• Strategic Agreements and Logistics Cooperation: India and the US have signed several foundational agreements, that have significantly boosted operational coordination, especially in the Indo-Pacific, like:
  • Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) – 2016: Allows the armed forces of both countries to use each other’s bases for refueling and resupply.
  • Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) – 2018: Enables secure communications between their military platforms.
  • Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) – 2020: Facilitates sharing of geospatial intelligence and satellite data for military use.
• Joint Military Exercises: India and the US regularly conduct joint military exercises to enhance interoperability and readiness. Some notable exercises include:
  • Malabar (Naval Exercise): Conducted with Japan and Australia as part of the Quad alliance.
  • Yudh Abhyas (Army Exercise): Enhances land warfare coordination.
  • Vajra Prahar (Special Forces Exercise): Strengthens counterterrorism capabilities.
  • Cope India (Air Force Exercise): Focuses on aerial combat and air superiority.
• Indo-Pacific Strategy and QUAD Cooperation: With China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean, India & US have aligned their strategic interests to ensure a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
  • They are active members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), along with Japan and Australia, aiming to promote maritime security, infrastructure development, and economic resilience in the region.
• Technology Transfer and Defense Innovation: The India-US Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) facilitates co-development and co-production of advanced defense technologies. Some of the key areas of collaboration include:
  • Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET)
  • Jet Engine Technology
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
  • AI in Defense
  • Cybersecurity and Space-based Systems

Challenges in India-US Defense Relations

• India’s Strategic Autonomy: India seeks to maintain its non-aligned stance, balancing relations with the US while continuing defense ties with Russia and France.
• Unpredictability in US Policy: The transactional nature of US foreign policy, influenced by changing administrations, adds an element of unpredictability.
  • India must ensure that its defence strategy is not overly reliant on a single partner.
• Technology Transfer Restrictions: The US remains cautious in sharing sensitive defense technology.
• Indigenous Defence Capabilities: While the partnership has brought advanced technologies, it has not significantly boosted India’s indigenous defence manufacturing.
• CAATSA and Sanctions Concerns: India’s purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems risks US sanctions under the CAATSA law.
• Bureaucratic Hurdles: Complex procurement processes and policy mismatches slow down defense cooperation.

Way Forward

• Diversification of Partnerships: India should continue to engage with multiple defence partners to avoid over-dependence on any single country.
• Focus on Self-Reliance: Initiatives like ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ must be prioritized to build a robust domestic defence industry.
• Balanced Diplomacy: While deepening ties with the U.S., India must also maintain strong relationships with other global powers to ensure a balanced and independent foreign policy.

Conclusion

• India-US defense ties have grown stronger over the past two decades, evolving into a comprehensive security partnership. 
• As both nations seek to maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific and counter emerging security threats, defense cooperation will continue to be a cornerstone of their bilateral relationship. 
• By addressing challenges such as technology transfer, policy alignment, and strategic autonomy, the partnership can unlock its full potential for regional and global security.

Source: TH