India–US Defence Technology Partnership: Bridging the Gap Between Strategic Convergence and Technological Collaboration
SyllabusMapping: GS-2: India–US bilateral relations and strategic partnerships affecting India’s interests.
India and the United States have emerged as key strategic partners in the evolving Indo-Pacific order, with defence cooperation becoming a central pillar of bilateral relations. Foundational defence agreements, expanding military exercises and new technology initiatives have significantly deepened the strategic partnership over the past decade.
Strategic Convergence in India–US Defence Relations
- Institutionalisation of Defence Partnership: The relationship has evolved through comprehensive institutional frameworks, ministerial dialogues and defence agreements, enabling long-term strategic cooperation. Eg: 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, Major Defence Partner (2016), COMPACT (2025).
- Enhanced Military Interoperability: Foundational defence agreements have enabled secure communications, logistics support, geospatial intelligence sharing and seamless joint operations. Eg: LEMOA (2016), COMCASA (2018), BECA (2020), SOSA (2024)
- Shared Indo-Pacific Strategic Vision: Both countries view a Free, Open, Inclusive and Rules-Based Indo-Pacific as central to maintaining regional stability and freedom of navigation. Eg: QUAD, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, Maritime Domain Awareness.
- Operational Synergy: Regular tri-service and multilateral exercises have strengthened operational readiness, interoperability and joint response capabilities. Eg: Yudh Abhyas, Tiger Triumph, Cope India, Malabar Exercise.
- Collaboration in Emerging Security Domains: Defence cooperation now extends beyond conventional military engagement to include cyber security, space, AI, critical technologies and resilient supply chains. Eg: iCET and INDUS-X.
- Trusted Strategic Partnership: India and the US increasingly perceive each other as indispensable partners in ensuring a stable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific while respecting India’s strategic autonomy. Eg: India–US Joint Leaders’ Statements (2023 & 2025).
Why Defence Technology Collaboration Remains Limited?
- Reluctance to Share Critical Technologies: The US continues to retain tight control over high-end defence technologies due to national security concerns and export-control regulations.
- Divergent Strategic Priorities: India’s doctrine of Strategic Autonomy contrasts with the US alliance-based security architecture, limiting exclusive defence technology partnerships.
- Buyer–Seller Relationship Dominance: Defence engagement has largely centred on procurement of platforms rather than joint design, co-development and IP sharing.
- Export Control and Regulatory Constraints: Stringent US export control laws, licensing procedures and end-use monitoring slow technology transfer and industrial collaboration. Eg: ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations).
- Procurement and Policy Uncertainties: Complex procurement procedures, offset policy changes and lengthy acquisition cycles discourage long-term technology partnerships. Eg: Delays under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) and evolving offset policies.
- Limited Joint R&D and Innovation: Existing cooperation has not adequately translated into institutionalised joint research, testing and next-generation defence innovation. Eg: iCET and INDUS-X are promising but remain at an early stage of implementation.
Measures to Strengthen a Mutually Beneficial Defence Industrial Partnership
- Co-Development Ecosystem: Shift the partnership towards joint design, co-development and co-production of next-generation defence platforms with equitable technology ownership. Eg: Expand projects under the India–US Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap (2023).
- Fast-track Critical Technology Collaboration: Operationalise collaboration in jet engines, aero-engines, AI, semiconductors, quantum technologies, cyber security and undersea systems through time-bound implementation.
- Strengthen Defence Innovation and Industrial Ecosystem: Leverage INDUS-X and iCET to promote collaboration among startups, MSMEs, academia and defence industries in frontier technologies.
- Integrate India into Global Defence Supply Chains: Encourage US Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to localise manufacturing, component sourcing and Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) facilities in India under Make in India.
- Trusted Technology Partnership: Simplify export licensing, strengthen IPR protection and establish secure technology-sharing mechanisms to facilitate sensitive transfers. Eg: Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology (COMPACT).
- Collaborative Innovation: Expand collaboration between DRDO, DPSUs, Indian private industry and US defence firms in hypersonics, space, autonomous systems and advanced materials.
- Institutionalise Long-Term Defence Industrial Dialogue: Strengthen the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) to resolve regulatory bottlenecks.
The true potential of India–US defence ties lies not in expanding arms trade, but in building a trusted ecosystem of co-development, co-production and co-innovation that strengthens India’s strategic autonomy while advancing shared security interests.
PRELIMS BOOSTERS
1 . Trial in Absentia (Section 356, BNSS, 2023)
- Recently, the NIA sought to invoke Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 to conduct the trial in absentia of Hafiz Saeed, who has been declared a proclaimed offender and is absconding outside India.
- Trial in Absentia means conducting a criminal trial in the absence of the accused.
- It is provided under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
- The provision applies only to a Proclaimed Offender, not to every absconding accused.
- A person can be tried in absentia only if:
- He has been declared a Proclaimed Offender under Section 84 of BNSS.
- He has absconded to evade trial, and
- There is no immediate prospect of arrest.
- Trial in absentia is available only for offences punishable with imprisonment of 10 years or more, life imprisonment or death.
- Before commencing such trial, the court must ensure:
- Two consecutive arrest warrants issued at least 30 days apart.
- Public notice in a newspaper giving the accused 30 days to appear.
- Notice displayed at the accused’s last known residence and served on a relative/friend.
- Trial can commence only after 90 days from the date of framing of charges.
- If the accused has no lawyer, the court must appoint a defence counsel at State expense.
- Witness testimony may be recorded through audio-visual electronic means and preserved for future judicial review.
- If the accused later appears or is arrested, the court may permit cross-examination of witnesses in the interest of justice.
2. Ravidassia community & Guru Ravidas
- Recently, members of the Ravidassia community demanded recognition of “Ravidassia” as a separate religion in the forthcoming Census.
- Guru Ravidas (c. 15th–16th century) was a prominent Bhakti Movement saint and a leading exponent of the Nirguna Bhakti tradition.
- He preached equality, dignity of labour, universal brotherhood and devotion (Bhakti), while rejecting caste discrimination, untouchability and ritualism.
- Guru Ravidas was a contemporary of Kabir and Guru Nanak and is believed to have been associated with Sant Mirabai.
- He was born in Seer Govardhanpur (Varanasi), Uttar Pradesh, which is now an important pilgrimage centre.
- Forty-one (41) hymns composed by Guru Ravidas are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism.
- His teachings centred on the ideal of ‘Begampura’—a utopian city free from caste, inequality, oppression and suffering.
- The Ravidassia community traces its spiritual lineage to Guru Ravidas and primarily comprises followers from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and adjoining regions.
- The Ravidassia religion formally emerged after the 2009 Vienna (Austria) attack on Sant Niranjan Dass and Sant Ramanand Dass.
- The principal scripture of the Ravidassia faith is Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji, which contains the teachings and hymns of Guru Ravidas.
- Their principal places of worship are known as Ravidas Deras or Ravidassia Bhawans, though many followers also worship in Gurdwaras.
- Guru Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated on Magh Purnima (full moon day of the Hindu month of Magha).
3. Bhojshala Complex
- Bhojshala is a protected monument located in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh.
- It is traditionally associated with Goddess Saraswati (Vagdevi) and is believed to have been established during the Paramara dynasty.
- The monument is named after King Bhoja (c. 1010–1055 CE), one of the most celebrated rulers of the Paramara dynasty.
- King Bhoja founded the city of Dhar as his capital and is renowned as a scholar-king and patron of education, literature and temple architecture.
- The Paramara dynasty ruled parts of Malwa (present-day Madhya Pradesh) between the 9th and 14th centuries CE.
- Bhojshala is presently a centrally protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958, provides for the preservation and protection of ancient monuments and archaeological sites of national importance.
