“India and the US look forward to work together and benefit from each other’s experience.” -Shri Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister S HRI Rajnath Singh, the Defence Minister visited the US from August 22 to 26, 2024. The visit proved to be significant and pathbreaking in more ways than one. In a quiet and dignified manner, as is the working style of the Hon’ble Defence Minister, the visit achieved a lot for India without much optics. No doubt the officials of the Defence Ministry who had accompanied him and the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), three Service HQs and DRDO would have worked tirelessly behind the scenes for preparing the groundwork for this important visit. This outcome and follow up actions of the visit are going to shape the trajectory of Indo-US defence relations under Modi 3.0 Government.

 

After the visit of US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin’s visit to India in November last year for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Delhi, this particular visit has special significance. The visit in November last year happened after the Israel-Hamas conflict started in October 2023. The current visit happened almost simultaneously with the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Poland and Ukraine. Clearly, the backdrop of two major conflicts of Russia-Ukraine War and Israel-Hamas conflict would have influenced the talks and discussions. It is also important to understand the shift in our relations with the US once Prime Minister Modi came to power in 2014. Mr. Modi reoriented the foreign affairs and immediately put a focus on simultaneous actions at our immediate neighbourhood, regional influence and global affairs. Right after the visit of PM Modi to US on 29-30 September 2014 when Barack Obama was the US President, the Indo-US relations have been on higher growth trajectory, with particular focus on mutual defence cooperation. The defence relations between the two nations have been given impetus in three areas. First is cooperation in regional and global security affairs, second is institutionalised engagement between the Armed Forces and third is cooperation in defence technology and industry. In the first two areas, the cooperation has reached many milestones and a lot has been achieved. But in defence technology field, the progress has not been up to the expectations.

 

The current visit was aimed at strengthening the defence technology cooperation between the two nations. After the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation of 1971, India was importing almost 85% of defence hardware and equipment from the Soviet Union and later from Russia. With little indigenisation, the situation continued till the beginning of this century. US had imposed sanctions on India after the Pokhran nuclear tests in May 1998. The Indo-US relations improved a bit during the full term of PM Atal Behari Vajpayee from 1999-2004. In fact, it was the 9/11 attacks in the US in 2001 that brought India and US closer in their fight against terrorism and eventually towards more defence cooperation. While the Russian military hardware is still more than 60% of our total defence imports, Modi Government has given impetus to self-reliance in defence right from the first term in 2014. It was a slow process in the Modi 1.0 Government. But two major initiatives of the Modi 2.0 Government have enabled the growth of defence industry in the country. In October 2021, Ministry of Defence converted Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) into seven 100% Government owned corporate entities. Before this, OFB was largely a sick enterprise with little contribution in manufacturing world class arms, ammunition and equipment. Just in less than three years, the DPSUs are already in profit. Second major reform was to encourage the participation of the private industry.

 

The private companies have significantly contributed towards defence production in the last five years. Indian private companies have manufactured armament and equipment matching global standards and these companies already account for about 25 % of the total defence production, with major chunk going in the exports. India went in for major defence deals with US when it procured latest transport and maritime aircraft. US finally delivered best technology in the form of C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster and P-81 Poseidon aircraft, best helicopters in the form of CH47F Chinooks, MH-60R Seahawks and AH-64E Apache. Harpoon anti-ship missiles and M777 Howitzers have also come. In an unprecedented move, Indian Army procured 72,400 SIG-716 assault rifles from Sig Sauer of the US. This weapon is used by the NATO forces and reflects our growing proximity to the security affairs globally. After the visit of the RM, the MOD signed a repeat order of 73,000 more assault rifles to be delivered by the end of 2025. Eventually India plans to manufacture the assault rifles with transfer of technology. During the current visit, another milestone was reached when India and US signed the Security of Supply Agreement (SoSA). Under this deal, India and US agree to provide reciprocal priority support for goods and services that promote national defence. Such an agreement is a rarity as such privilege is given by the US to major NATO powers. domain also India and US have come really close. India realises that Russia is considerably weakened after the prolonged war with Ukraine.

 

There have been delays in delivery of Russian military equipment because of their wartime needs. A declining Russia has no choice but to get closer to China, both for economic bailout and military supplies. Such an eventuality may spell disaster for India in case of war. Therefore, India has to broaden its defence supply chain, as also improve domestic manufacturing in quick time. Some cuttingedge technology which came from Israel is also unlikely to be delivered, again because of their preoccupation with their multiple Middle East adversaries. In that context, the visit of Shri Rajnath Singh achieved a lot of deliverables. Indian Defence Forces are preparing to go for theaterisation soon. As a responsible and mature regional & global power, a lot is expected from the Indian Defence Forces. With Theatre Commands under its wings, India would be in a better position to play more proactive role in shaping the regional and global security in land, air and maritime domain.