US Defense Bill Emphasizes Strengthening Ties with India Amidst China Concerns

Strengthening Indo-US Relations

New York/Washington: The latest annual defense policy bill from the United States underscores the importance of enhancing America's collaboration with India, particularly through the Quad, to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific and counter challenges from China.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, unveiled by Congressional leaders, articulates the 'sense of Congress on Defense Alliances and Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.'

It emphasizes that the Secretary of Defense should persist in efforts to bolster US defense alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific to enhance the US's strategic position against China.

Key initiatives include expanding US engagement with India via the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, aimed at fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific through bilateral and multilateral interactions, military exercises, increased defense trade, and cooperation on humanitarian aid and disaster response.

The bill also advocates for enhanced maritime security collaboration with New Delhi.

Established in 2017, the Quad—comprising India, the US, Japan, and Australia—was formed to address China's assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific.

Additionally, the defense policy bill mandates the Secretary of Defense, in conjunction with the Secretary of State, to create a security initiative that strengthens cooperation among the defense industrial sectors of the US and its allies in the Indo-Pacific.

This initiative aims to fortify the collective defense industrial base by improving capabilities, capacity, and workforce, while also enhancing supply chain security and interoperability among participating nations.

The two Secretaries will determine which allies and partners, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, India, the Philippines, and New Zealand, will be invited to join this security initiative.

A section titled 'Joint Assessment Between The United States And India On Nuclear Liability Rules' calls for the Secretary of State to establish a consultative mechanism within the US-India Strategic Security Dialogue.

This mechanism will convene regularly to evaluate the implementation of the 2008 Agreement for Cooperation between the US and India regarding peaceful nuclear energy uses.

The focus will be on aligning India's domestic nuclear liability regulations with international standards and developing strategies for bilateral and multilateral diplomatic engagements.

The bill requires the Secretary of State to submit a report on this joint assessment within 180 days of the Act's enactment and annually for the next five years.

Furthermore, the bill defines an 'ally or partner nation' as any country that is a member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, including India and any country designated as such by the Secretary of State.