Strengthening U.S. Ties to India Makes America Safer
At a time when China is engaged in an active campaign to sabotage America with the goal of nothing less than world dominance, a strong economic and national security alliance between the U.S. and India has never been more important.
U.S. Steadily Fosters Deeper National Security Ties with India
The U.S.-India alliance is a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific, promoting regional stability and international order. In fact, in recent years, the U.S. and India have strengthened defense ties through joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and defense agreements to enhance regional security.
The increased effort to preserve and bolster this important democratic partner goes back to 2016, when the United States designated India as a Major Defense Partner. Since then, the U.S. has further deepened our relationship with the world’s fifth largest economy, elevating India to Strategic Trade Authorization tier 1 status, which then enables India greater access to a range of military technologies currently regulated by the U.S.
As of 2008, our defense trade with India was nearly non-existent, but since that time, the United States has increased to over $20 billion in defense trade with India. These sales are important to both nations’ economies, but equally as important, they foster a strong defense industrial base in the country. It’s hugely important as India is our largest democratic ally who is also a neighbor to China.
A closer look shows robust and significant defense sales to India of some of our most effective national security equipment and warfighting tools, including MH-60R Seahawk, Apache helicopters, and the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure. These are just a few examples of how the U.S. and India work together to enhance India’s military capabilities and further advance shared national security interests.
India’s Role as a Disruptor to Chinese Global Dominance
India’s relationship with China is both complicated and delicate as India both cooperates and competes with China in different areas. Part of this tension is due to India’s potential to disrupt Chinese efforts to dominate the global supply chain and further enable supply chain diversification. Collaborations between the U.S. and India’s defense industries aim to reduce reliance on Chinese-controlled supply chains, enhancing mutual security and economic interests.
Additionally frustrating to the CCP, India has shown its willingness to participate in critical negotiations that strengthen democracies around the globe and prevent further influence from China to support authoritarian regimes. India played an important role in finalizing the Abraham Accords, which serve to enhance political, economic, and security cooperation in the Middle East and further protect a critical national security partner in the region - Israel.
Trump Administration Continues to Build on Strong Foundation of U.S.-India Ties
The good news is that President Trump understands the importance of India as a strategic national security partner. During a media availability at the White House last week, the President called attention to his relationship with India saying, "Prime Minister Modi was here just recently, and we've always been very good friends. India is one of the highest tariffing nations in the world... They're very smart. He (Prime Minister Modi) is a very smart man and a great friend of mine. We had very good talks. I think it's going to work out very well between India and our country.”
Additionally, the Protecting America Initiative was pleased to hear Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard recently state, “There is opportunity here to see more potential for strengthening our economic relationship…We have two leaders who have common sense and who are looking for good solutions.”
Without a doubt, the time is now to fully bolster the U.S.-India relationship for economic as well as national security interests.
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