USIBC’s recommendations to catalyze the U.S.-India Defense Relationship

The USIBC published recommendations to encourage U.S and Indian Governments to deepen their defense and strategic relationship while being more inclusive of the defense industry in both countries.

The following recommendations are offered to urge the U.S. and India to advance the defense relationship:

• The U.S. should address the specter of CAATSA by providing an unambiguous U.S. position should India make major new acquisitions of defense equipment from Russia.
• The U.S. should continue offering its best technology on favorable terms to India.
• India should expedite the acquisition of systems it requested from the U.S., such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
• The new U.S. administration should expedite discussions to conclude a comprehensive fighter deal that cements the U.S. and India as true Major Defense Partners.
• The U.S. government should share its cutting-edge defense technology more freely with partners, including India, to create a base for further innovation.
• The two governments should establish a comprehensive reciprocal defense procurement agreement that allows companies from both countries to compete or collaborate freely for defense contracts in either country.

Further, the paper underscores that deeper integration between the U.S. and Indian defense industrial base will strengthen the overall U.S.-India commercial and strategic relationship. Industry has an important role to play in defense cooperation, which is essential to achieving the shared goal of maintaining a prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific region.

Read the report: USIBC’s recommendations to catalyze the U.S.-India Defense Relationship