India, U.S. expected to further strengthen defense ties to boost regional security

Staff and news agency report

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently reelected to a third term, said he will continue to focus on increasing the country’s military preparedness and influence. The announcement comes amid the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) increasingly assertive behavior in the Indo-Pacific and growing tensions over Beijing’s disputed territorial claims, including along the 3,400-kilometer China-India border.

“The government will focus on expanding defense production and exports,” Modi said. He said he plans to increase security by lowering India’s dependence on arms imports. “We will not stop until the defense sector becomes self-sufficient.”

Defense cooperation with the United States has greatly expanded under Modi, particularly through the Quad partnership that also includes Australia and Japan.

“The Indian Navy is a major player in the Indian Ocean region,” said Rahul Bedi, a New Delhi-based defense analyst.

In their call after India’s elections, U.S. President Joe Biden and Modi “emphasized their commitment to deepening the U.S.-India Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership and to advancing their shared vision of a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” the White House said.

Under Modi’s program of military modernization and reform, New Delhi has sought to expand private-sector defense manufacturing and eased foreign direct investment regulations to encourage companies to operate in India.

India traditionally has relied heavily on Russia for military equipment, but delivery delays and difficulty procuring spare parts because of Moscow’s illegal invasion of Ukraine have been an impetus for India to diversify defense procurement, including with partners such as France and the U.S., said Viraj Solanki, a London-based expert with the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Washington has agreed to a deal allowing U.S.-based General Electric to collaborate with Indian firm Hindustan Aeronautics to produce fighter jet engines.

At the recent Shangri-La Dialogue defense conference in Singapore, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said India and the U.S. also are co-producing armored vehicles.

“The relationship that we enjoy with India right now is as good or better than our relationship has ever been,” he said. “It’s really strong.”

This report includes information from The Associated Press.