India and the US are building a strong and resilient defence partnership
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s just-concluded visit to the United States marks a significant step forward in the deepening of India-US defence cooperation. His interactions with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and other senior American defence officials have reinforced the strategic partnership between the two nations, highlighting a mutual commitment to enhancing military collaboration, industrial cooperation, and regional security in the Indo-Pacific region. 
 
The visit, which took place from August 23-25, 2024, saw the conclusion of key agreements and the laying of groundwork for future engagements, underscoring the growing congruence of strategic interests between India and the US.
 
The SOSA Agreement
One of the pivotal outcomes of Singh’s visit was the signing of the Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA), a key enabling pact that allows for closer defence industry cooperation between India and the United States. 
 
While not legally binding, SOSA is a significant step in enhancing the supply chain resilience and promoting mutual priority support for goods and services essential to national defence. This agreement facilitates the US in requesting priority delivery for its contracts and orders from Indian companies, and vice versa, enabling both countries to address unexpected supply chain disruptions effectively.
 
The SOSA agreement is particularly noteworthy in the context of India’s growing defence exports and the increasing integration of Indian-made subsystems in U.S. defence platforms. This agreement is expected to further incentivize US companies to establish manufacturing bases in India, thereby contributing to India’s vision of ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defence production. With the US already a major importer of Indian defence subsystems, SOSA lays the foundation for deeper industrial collaboration, paving the way for the upcoming Reciprocal Defence Procurement (RDP) Agreement, which will make such cooperation legally binding.
 
Reciprocal Defence Procurement Agreement
The next logical progression in the India-US defence partnership is the signing of the Reciprocal Defence Procurement (RDP) Agreement, which will formalize the commitment of both nations to prioritize each other’s defence industries. 
 
This agreement will facilitate joint production and sourcing on a larger scale, enhancing the interoperability of conventional defence equipment between the two countries. The RDP Agreement, once signed, will also allow US companies to bypass the “Buy American Statute” more easily, enabling them to establish manufacturing bases in India and participate in joint defence projects.
 
The RDP Agreement will not only bolster India’s defence manufacturing capabilities but also contribute to the standardisation and interchangeability of defence equipment, further strengthening the operational synergy between the Indian and U.S. armed forces. This move is expected to significantly enhance the defence industrial ecosystems of both nations, driving innovation and fostering a more resilient supply chain in the face of global challenges.
 
Deployment of Liaison Officers
Another key outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the assignment of liaison officers to each other’s select defence formations. This agreement, which facilitates the deployment of Indian liaison officers to U.S. military commands such as the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) and the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), marks a significant step in deepening bilateral military engagement.
 
The deployment of liaison officers is expected to enhance the operational coordination between the two militaries, particularly in areas of mutual strategic interest such as maritime security and counterterrorism. By establishing a direct link between Indian and US defence formations, this initiative will also improve the flow of information and foster greater trust and cooperation in joint military operations.
 
Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness
During their meeting on August 23, 2024, Defence Minister Singh and Secretary Austin also reviewed the progress made in operationalizing the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) initiative, a key component of the Quad partnership involving India, the US, Japan, and Australia. The IPMDA initiative aims to enhance the maritime security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region by improving the surveillance and monitoring capabilities of partner nations.
 
Both leaders lauded India’s ongoing efforts to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) for the partners in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), particularly through the deployment of Indian Navy personnel in the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). India’s commitment to deploying personnel to the CMF’s Combined Task Force 150 headquarters in 2025 was welcomed as a significant contribution to regional security and stability.
 
The discussions also highlighted the importance of continued cooperation in maritime security, with both nations expressing a shared commitment to ensuring a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. This commitment is particularly critical in the context of increasing challenges posed by China’s assertive actions in the region, which threaten the rules-based international order.
 
The visit also underscored the growing importance of defence innovation and co-development in the India-US strategic partnership. 
 
Both Singh and Austin commended the efforts of the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) in establishing a robust defence innovation bridge between the two countries. INDUS-X has played a crucial role in fostering networks across start-ups, industry, academia, and government, accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and enhancing the war-fighting capabilities of both nations.
 
Defence Minister Singh took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to express his optimism about these developments, posting: “Had a fruitful interaction with leading U.S. defence companies at the Defence Industry Roundtable organized by @USISPF. Invited them to work with Indian partners to accelerate our Make in India program towards achieving Atmanirbharta in the defence sector. Together, Indian and U.S. companies will co-develop and co-produce for the world.”
 
The upcoming INDUS-X Silicon Valley Summit in September 2024 is expected to witness the announcement of several key initiatives aimed at boosting defence innovation and co-development. 
 
In a gesture that underscored the deepening ties between the two nations, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid a wreath at the Arlington National Cemetery, paying tribute to the sacrifices made by American soldiers. This solemn ceremony was a symbolic affirmation of the shared values and common interests that underpin the India-U.S. defence partnership.
 
The discussions between Singh and Austin reaffirmed the importance of the Quad as a platform for promoting regional security and stability. Both leaders emphasized the need for continued collaboration among Quad partners in areas such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). The Quad’s role in countering China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific was also a key focus of the discussions, with both nations reiterating their commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
 
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to the U.S. marks a significant milestone in the India-U.S. defence relationship. The agreements signed and the discussions held during the visit reflect a growing convergence of strategic interests between the two nations, underpinned by a shared commitment to enhancing defence cooperation, promoting regional security, and advancing mutual economic interests.
 
As India and the US continue to deepen their defence partnership, the focus will increasingly be on translating these agreements into tangible outcomes that enhance the operational capabilities of both nations. The successful conclusion of the SOSA agreement, the upcoming RDP Agreement, and the continued engagement through initiatives like INDUS-X are all indicative of the strong and resilient defence relationship that India and the US are building.
 
Looking ahead, the India-US defence partnership is poised to play a critical role in shaping the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region. As both nations work together to address common challenges and seize new opportunities, their partnership will continue to be a key pillar of stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.