The evolving defence ties between India and the United States have brought significant advancements. It includes the sharing of technology, joint exercises, and the procurement of defence equipment. Also, it raises critical questions about India’s strategic autonomy. Go through the article to know in detail about India-US Defence Relations.
Cold War era (1947-1991):
- Early Engagement (1947-1962): Initially, India and the US had diplomatic ties with very limited military cooperation.
- Indo-China 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): In retaliation for the US’s support to Pakistan, India signed a treaty with the soviet union- a treaty of peace, friendship cooperation (1971). It eventually led to the distancing of India from the US.
- Post-1974 Relations and Nuclear Sanctions: After India’s ‘Smiling Buddha’ operation US imposed so many sanctions on India, and also reduced defence cooperation. India was denied high-tech weapons due to the non-proliferation treaty.
- India’s Non-alignment Policy as well as Strategic Partnership with the Soviet Union restricted the defense engagement with the US.
Post-Cold War era (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. But, with the passage of time and engaging diplomatic efforts, several restrictions were lifted 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, as well as technology transfers.
- US-India Civil Nuclear Deal (2008): Removal of nuclear-related sanctions by the landmark 123 agreement enhanced strategic trust between both countries.
Contemporary Period (2010 to the present): All-Encompassing Defense Collaboration
Defence Trade and Military Procurement: India is one of the largest importers of US defense equipment, purchasing advanced military hardware such as
(a) C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft.
(b) Apache AH-64E and Chinook CH-47 helicopters.
(c) MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for the Indian Navy.
(d) P-8I Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft. Predator MQ-9B drones for surveillance and reconnaissance. In the year of 2016, the US gave India the title of Major Defence Partner to India, which facilitated defence trade and tech-transfer as America’s closest allies. India and the US have signed several foundational agreements. All this has profoundly enhanced operational coordination, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. For Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), etc.
Joint Military Exercises: Regular joint military exercises with US to enhance interoperability and readiness. For eg, Malabar (Naval Exercise), Yudh Abhyas (Army Exercise), etc.
Indo-Pacific Strategy and QUAD Cooperation: To ensure a free, open, and rule-based as India said. Indo-Pacific, both nations have converged on shared strategic interests. This is because of China’s growing assertiveness 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. For Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), Jet Engine Technology, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), AI in Defence, Cybersecurity, and Space-based Systems
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Friction in India-US Defence Relations
- India’s Strategic Autonomy: India has always maintained its non-aligned stand when it comes to global matters, as it balanced relations with the US, along with Russia and France.
- Unpredictability in US Policy: The transactional nature of US foreign policy, influenced by changing administrations, adds an element of unpredictability. So, India’s defence strategy needs to be independent, not relying solely on one.
- Technology Transfer Restrictions: The US has always been sceptical about sharing sensitive defence technologies with other countries.
- Indigenous Defence Capabilities: It is true that we got immense benefit from the various partnerships, but India’s indigenous defence manufacturing segment is still in a bad condition.
- 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 as well as policy mismatches slow down defense cooperation.
Our Latest Selections:
Way Forward
- Diversification of Partnerships: Over-reliance on any one single country for defence requirements needs to be replaced with engagement of India with multiple defence partners.
- Focus on Self-Reliance: Here, to build a robust and independent domestic defence industry, initiatives like ‘ Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ need more heed.
- Balanced Diplomacy: Along with the US, India should also give equal importance to other nations as well to maintain strong relations.
Conclusion
Today, both countries have a full-fledged security partnership, as they have worked on their defence ties for the last 2 decades. As both countries have common goals like stability in the Indo-Pacific region and addressing emerging security threats, defence ties in the future will only strengthen.
We hope this information about ‘India-US Defence Relations’ will help students preparing for the Defence Exams and in the SSB Interview too.