The United States and India are working to strengthen their partnership, which faces challenges alongside significant cooperation in defense and technology, largely driven by shared concerns about China.
Despite delays in implementing major agreements, such as co-producing jet engines and deploying armed drones, the underlying integration of the two nations’ defense capabilities remains robust. Both countries acknowledge anxieties that impede deeper collaboration. Washington is concerned about India’s limited engagement with China beyond land borders, particularly in maritime corridors like the South China Sea. Conversely, New Delhi fears a potential US-China agreement that could overlook India’s interests, a concern amplified by the US renaming its Indo-Pacific Command back to Pacific Command.
Experts suggest that by adopting a pragmatic approach and acknowledging existing relationships, such as India’s ties with Russia and the US’s with Pakistan, both nations can navigate these differences. Six steps are proposed to enhance the partnership: strengthening deterrence through reciprocal military presence, institutionalizing joint military coordination for high-tech issues, exploring reciprocal defense procurement, securing technological and resource supply chains, anchoring the partnership within multilateral networks, and leveraging their global diaspora to foster future collaboration.
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Source: indianexpress.com
