India–US Strategic Partnership (2024–26): Defence Agreements, Technology & Indo-Pacific Alignment

1. Why in News?

During 2024–26:

• Defence cooperation deepened.

• Technology transfer and co-production discussions advanced.

• Strategic coordination increased in Indo-Pacific region.

• High-level bilateral dialogues continued.

Partnership expanded beyond defence into tech and supply chains.

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2. Nature of India–US Relationship

India–US relations are described as:

Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

Not a military alliance.

India maintains strategic autonomy.

UPSC can test this nuance.

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3. Foundational Defence Agreements

India and US have signed:

1️⃣ LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement)
2️⃣ COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement)
3️⃣ BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement)

UPSC has asked these directly.

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4. Indo-Pacific Strategy

Indo-Pacific refers to:

Strategic region spanning Indian Ocean to Western Pacific.

India supports:
Free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Counterbalance to Chinese influence.

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5. Defence Cooperation Areas

• Joint military exercises (e.g., Yudh Abhyas)

• Defence technology collaboration

• Maritime security

• Intelligence sharing

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6. Trade & Technology Dimension

• Semiconductor cooperation

• Critical and emerging technologies

• Supply chain resilience

India–US partnership expanded into tech geopolitics.

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7. Static Linkage

Difference between:

• Alliance

• Strategic partnership

• Military pact

India not part of NATO.

UPSC loves this distinction.

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8. Prelims Angle

Likely traps:

• LEMOA relates to what?

• BECA deals with what?

• Indo-Pacific includes which oceanic regions?

• Is India a US treaty ally?

Statement-based question highly probable.

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9. Mains Angle

• Balancing US ties & strategic autonomy

• Role in countering China

• Defence indigenisation impact

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10. RBI Grade B Angle

• Technology supply chain

• Defence FDI implications