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India and the United States have announced new defense cooperation agreements to enhance their military partnership significantly.
According to a fact sheet released by both countries, the new agreements will expand “strategic cooperation across key technology sectors including space, semiconductors, advanced telecommunications, artificial intelligence, quantum, biotechnology, and clean energy.” The announcement came as US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan visited India for the first major meeting between officials from both countries since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent reelection.
During Sullivan’s visit, he met with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi and shared that India and the United States would focus on co-production, co-development, and research and development (R&D) opportunities. They also pledged to enhance coordination with other like-minded nations. In the coming months, they plan to take concrete steps to overcome long-standing obstacles to bilateral strategic trade, particularly in the commercial and civil space sectors, and prevent the leakage of sensitive technologies to countries of concern.
This visit is part of President Biden’s efforts to strengthen strategic ties with India, especially in light of Modi’s third term in office. Both nations view China as a significant economic threat in the region. Following Modi’s election victory, Biden expressed his optimism for the growing friendship between the two countries, while Modi acknowledged Biden’s support and appreciation for Indian democracy.
However, the bilateral relationship recently faced a challenge when the US accused an Indian official of hiring Nikhil Gupta to orchestrate a plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader on American soil. The plot was foiled, and Gupta was extradited to the US to face charges. In response, a group of Democratic senators urged the State Department to increase diplomatic pressure on India to ensure accountability for those involved in the plot.
