When President Donald Trump took office, he threatened to impose tariffs on India, labeling it the “tariff king.” In response, India sent back a cargo plane full of undocumented migrants and canceled a waiver for sanctions on a port. This may not seem like a good start for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Washington, but things aren’t as dire as they might appear. Even after harsh words exchanged between Trump and Modi recently, the two countries are strengthening their defense ties. Recent discussions between Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signal this growing cooperation.
During Trump’s first term, significant progress was made in U.S.-Indian defense relations, and the Biden administration continued this effort. India will play a crucial role in countering Chinese aggression and maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region. The second Trump administration has the chance to deepen this partnership by enhancing defense technology cooperation, improving joint military operations, and updating the existing defense framework. Achieving this will require both countries to break old habits and pursue more innovative collaboration.
Boosting Defense Technology
The Trump administration can enhance India’s burden-sharing capabilities through quicker defense technology exchanges and trade agreements. By building upon initiatives like the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology and the India-U.S. Defense Accelerator Ecosystem, both nations can foster a thriving collaborative defense innovation ecosystem. These programs not only support U.S. interests but also allow for a shared technological base, boosting both countries’ military capabilities.
In Trump’s first term, the approval of drone exports and efforts to ease trade restrictions showed commitment to Indian security. In a situation where India faced Chinese military challenges, the U.S. provided vital intelligence and equipment. This paved the way for India’s recent agreement to purchase 31 Predator drones. The new Trump administration should capitalize on these past achievements and move quickly on projects such as co-producing fighter jet engines and advanced anti-tank missiles to strengthen India’s defenses.
Indian authorities should also reassess their procurement processes to make them more efficient and harmonize with U.S. export control regulations to address cybersecurity concerns. Streamlining offensive and defensive measures can significantly improve technological collaboration.
Military Cooperation
The Trump administration should focus on deepening military cooperation to ensure both nations can effectively respond to common security challenges. Defense Secretary Hegseth has highlighted India’s importance as a defense partner, but both nations must work together more effectively, especially in the face of Chinese threats. Building strong deterrents requires joint military exercises, including advanced training programs and simulations, to prepare for various conflict scenarios.
The U.S. and India have already grown their military exercises and should expand the scope and complexity of these operations. Including advanced technologies and diverse military units will improve both readiness and interoperability. For example, Indian participation in U.S. space operations and higher-level global military exercises will enhance strategic collaborations.
Tabletop exercises involving civilian leaders can also strengthen the partnership. These sessions can help military and civilian officials understand each other’s perspectives and improve decision-making during crises, like a potential Taiwan Strait conflict or skirmishes along the India-China border.
Liaison officers can facilitate intelligence sharing and strengthen communication. To improve military exchanges, India should establish liaison positions at critical U.S. military commands, easing visa processes for personnel involved in joint training and exercises.
Revising the Defense Framework
To counter China’s rising influence effectively, the U.S. and India should modernize the framework governing their defense relationship. The current agreement, drafted in a different global context, needs refreshing to include recent developments. The first challenge is ensuring it addresses contemporary issues and concerns regarding China’s military activities.
Since the last framework was developed, both countries have established new dialogues and cooperative structures, such as the Maritime Security Dialogue and the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. Incorporating these changes into a new comprehensive defense framework will facilitate more effective collaborative efforts over the next decade.
Including foreign affairs and national security members in military discussions would provide enhanced strategic insights, aligning both nations’ military and diplomatic efforts more closely. This synchronized approach could improve overall responses to embassy and military needs, streamlining decision-making processes.
Each effort made by the U.S. and India to deepen their defense ties brings them closer to facing common challenges. Though these initiatives will be challenging, the long-term benefits for both nations can significantly enhance their military capacities and reduce China’s influence in the region.
Sameer Lalwani and Vikram J. Singh are experts in U.S.-Indian relations, providing insights into the evolving geopolitical landscape.
