From Cold War mistrust to Apaches and C-17s: India’s defence ties with the US

While the Quad’s roots lie in the humanitarian relief provided in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean, it has lately evolved into a premier strategic partnership “committed to fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the US State Department stated.

Cold War geopolitics and the 1965 military freeze

However, the watershed moment in India-US defence relations came in 1962, during the Sino-Indian War, when, according to the think tank Observer Research Foundation, Washington supplied India with weapons, transport aircraft, and training.

The US had reportedly also offered India $500 million in credit and grants to buy non-combat defence machinery, but the offer never materialised, and America announced freezing military ties with India and Pakistan after the two neighbours were engaged in war in 1965.

The 2005 framework as a security catalyst

2005 turned out to be a catalyst year for Indo-US defence relations when the two nations signed the New Framework for the US-India Defence Relationship, which set priorities for counterterrorism, humanitarian aid during disaster relief measures, and defence cooperation in maritime security.

It was a 10-year framework pact for a defence partnership, according to the New York-headquartered think tank Council on Foreign Relations.

Major defence partner status and the 2025 accord

A similar framework agreement was signed in 2015 for 10 years, and the following year, the United States designated India as a Major Defence Partner. In October 2025, during the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and inked a 10-year framework for a US-India major defence partnership, PIB reported.

Following the meeting, Hegseth wrote in a post on X, “I just met with Rajnath Singh to sign a 10-year US-India Defence Framework. This advances our defence partnership, a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence. We’re enhancing our coordination, info sharing, and tech cooperation. Our defence ties have never been stronger.”

Growing defence trade and major military platforms

The rapid expansion of India-US defence ties has also been reflected in military trade. Since 2008, India has contracted for more than $25 billion worth of US-origin defence equipment, making the United States one of India’s leading defence suppliers.

Over the past two decades, India has inducted several frontline American military platforms into its armed forces, significantly enhancing its airlift, maritime surveillance and combat capabilities. These include C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft, P-8I Poseidon long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, and MH-60R Seahawk multi-role naval helicopters.

These acquisitions have strengthened India’s ability to conduct long-range logistics operations, maritime surveillance in the Indian Ocean, anti-submarine warfare and high-altitude military deployments. The growing inventory of US-origin platforms has also increased interoperability between the Indian and US armed forces during joint exercises such as Yudh Abhyas, Malabar, Tiger Triumph and Cope India.

Foundational agreements between India and US in defence

General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA): It was signed in 2002 and allows the US government and firms to share classified information with the Indian government and state-owned companies.

Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA): It was signed in 2016 and provides India and the US’ militaries with access to each other’s facilities for replenishing and refuelling.

Communications, Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA): It was signed in 2018, and the agreement allows the exchange and sale of equipment and encrypted communications data.

Basic Exchange and Communications Agreement (BECA): This agreement was signed in 2020, and it enables India and the US to share advanced Geospatial (satellite) data for missile targeting and long-range navigation.

Concerns surrounding India-US defence ties

Since New Delhi works closely with Washington and Moscow simultaneously, the US has reportedly created a stressful situation for India to restrict its purchase of Russian arms and oil. An example of this is the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) concerns during India’s S400 deal with Russia.

Enacted in 2017, the CAATSA is a federal law that imposes economic sanctions on Russia, North Korea and Iran, and Washington can penalise any country or entity engaging in “significant transactions” with Russian defence.