India–US Defense Pact: A Strategic Shift with Regional and Global Ripples

By Sadik Sagar, November 13, Dhaka

India and the United States have signed a landmark defense pact aimed at deepening strategic cooperation, military interoperability, and technology sharing. The agreement—described by both sides as a “comprehensive partnership for the 21st century”—underscores Washington’s growing reliance on New Delhi as a counterbalance to China’s assertive rise across the Indo-Pacific region. Experts opined that the development could redefine the security architecture of South Asia and beyond.

The pact, finalized after months of high-level negotiations, encompasses several key areas: joint defense production, intelligence sharing, logistics support, and enhanced maritime cooperation. It also opens the door for U.S. defense firms to invest in India’s indigenous arms manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative, signaling a new era of collaboration between the world’s two largest democracies.

According to analysts, the agreement augments joint operational willingness through real-time intelligence exchange, unified command exercises, and advanced weapon systems co-development. Washington’s offer to share cutting-edge defense technologies—ranging from jet engine co-production to naval drones and space-based surveillance—further highlights its strategic trust in India.

The implications of the pact are particularly significant for South Asia, a region already fraught with longstanding rivalries and shifting alliances. India’s immediate neighbors—Pakistan and China—have expressed unease over what they perceive as the militarization of the region.

The United States and India have been steadily strengthening defense ties for nearly two decades, but this new pact marks their most comprehensive engagement yet. Building upon previous agreements—such as LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement), COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement), and BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement)—the latest framework institutionalizes cooperation across the full spectrum of defense and security domains.

After the pact was signed, the U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called it “a milestone in global security partnership,” while India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that it “reaffirms India’s role as a responsible regional power and a pillar of stability.”

Beijing, in an official statement, warned that the agreement “risks destabilizing regional peace and security.” Chinese analysts view the pact as part of Washington’s broader Indo-Pacific containment strategy, designed to curb China’s influence in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

Pakistan, on the other hand, fears an erosion of its strategic leverage. Once a key U.S. ally during the Cold War, Islamabad now finds itself increasingly dependent on Beijing for military and economic support. Pakistani foreign policy experts argue that the India–U.S. alignment could “upset the conventional balance of power” in South Asia, compelling Pakistan to further deepen its defense partnership with China.

However, Indian officials maintain that the pact is not aimed at any third country but rather at “ensuring peace, security, and stability” in the broader Indo-Pacific. India has also reiterated its commitment to strategic autonomy—maintaining partnerships with multiple powers, including Russia and the European Union.

Beyond South Asia, the India–U.S. defense pact represents a major pillar in Washington’s evolving Indo-Pacific strategy. The agreement dovetails with initiatives such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which includes Japan and Australia, and the AUKUS alliance between the U.S., U.K., and Australia. Together, these networks are designed to promote a “free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific,” as repeatedly emphasized by U.S. officials.

From a global standpoint, the pact is expected to accelerate the shift toward a multipolar defense order. With India emerging as a credible alternative manufacturing hub and strategic partner, the West is likely to diversify its security dependencies away from traditional allies in Europe and East Asia.

Despite its promise, the pact faces several challenges. Bureaucratic hurdles, technology transfer restrictions, and divergent foreign policy interests could slow implementation. India’s cautious approach toward alliances—rooted in its non-aligned tradition—means that strategic trust will need time to mature.

Moreover, as global tensions escalate—from Ukraine to the South China Sea—India may find itself walking a diplomatic tightrope between Washington and Moscow, as well as balancing its engagement with Beijing.

The India–U.S. defense pact represents more than a bilateral arrangement—it is a geopolitical statement. It signals the consolidation of a strategic partnership poised to influence global power dynamics for decades to come.

As the world witnesses the return of great-power competition, the partnership between the two largest democracies stands as both a deterrent and a declaration: that the balance of power in the 21st century will be shaped not merely by geography or military might, but by shared values and strategic vision.