Amid rising regional tensions, Indo-US defence ties are strengthening, marking a significant strategic shift in South Asia

India has solidified its defence partnership with the United States through two pivotal agreements, signaling a deepening American commitment to South Asia at a time when China's military influence is expanding across the region. The agreements, secured during Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's recent four-day visit to the United States, include a Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) and a Memorandum of Agreement on the Assignment of Liaison Officers. These developments underscore a significant shift in the dynamics of Indo-US relations, with both nations moving closer in their defence cooperation. The SOSA, a non-binding bilateral pact, is designed to prioritise support for defence-related goods and services between the two countries. This agreement is particularly crucial in addressing supply chain vulnerabilities that are critical to national security. Under the SOSA, India will receive assurances from Washington’s Defence Priorities and Allocations System, while Indian companies will provide priority support to the United States. India's inclusion in the elite group of 18 SOSA partners, which includes nations like Australia, Canada, and Britain, marks a significant step in defence cooperation.

In effect it means if either of two nations ended up in combat with an adversary, the SOSA could help accelerate the delivery of crucial weapons and materials required for defence, thereby ensuring robust supply chains in times of crisis. India and the United States have already established several key strategic agreements, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) signed in 2016 and real-time intelligence sharing since 2018 under the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA). These agreements, alongside the new SOSA, create a framework for expedited deliveries of contracted goods and services, potentially streamlining defence commerce between the two nations. In 2019, the signing of the Industrial Security Annex marked another significant step, allowing the sharing of classified US information with private Indian defence firms-a departure from previous restrictions. The Reciprocal Defence Procurement Agreement could further streamline defence commerce, enabling private companies in both countries to bid on each other's contracts. Indeed, a technologically advanced Indian military aligns with American interests. The recent Indo-US defence agreements mark a significant milestone in the evolving relationship between the two nations. As China's influence continues to grow across South Asia, particularly in Islamabad and the Maldives, these agreements provide a foundation for enhanced collaboration and a shared commitment to regional stability. With these developments, India and the United States are poised to further deepen their defence ties, building a partnership that could play a crucial role in shaping the future of the region.