India's relationship with the United States has undergone a significant transformation since the 21st century, evolving from uneasy ties favoring the Soviet Union to a strategic partnership largely driven by US competition with China. This shift has been marked by a tenfold increase in trade value since 2000, making the US India's largest trading partner [88c781bc]. As of 2024, India has emerged as the fifth largest economy and has surpassed China as the most populous country, further solidifying its global standing [88c781bc].
On August 23, 2024, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon, where they signed a crucial agreement aimed at securing defense goods and services amidst ongoing global supply chain issues. Singh emphasized India's commitment to strengthening ties with the US while also maintaining its relations with Moscow, describing India and the US as 'natural allies' [2cb3c2b2]. This meeting comes at a time when US-India security cooperation has notably increased since a deadly brawl in 2020, highlighting the evolving geopolitical landscape [2cb3c2b2].
During the four-day trip, which concludes on August 25, 2024, Singh is advocating for faster delivery of jet engines for India's Tejas Mark A-1 fighter jets, a critical component for enhancing India's defense capabilities [2cb3c2b2]. The discussions also reflect a broader strategy by India to achieve self-sufficiency in defense production, aligning with the country's long-term goals [2cb3c2b2].
The Pentagon has reiterated its commitment to strengthening the strategic alliance between the United States and India. During a previous press conference, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder emphasized India's role as a key strategic partner and expressed eagerness to further enhance this collaboration [0ae0d27f] [5c5268bd]. Ryder also reaffirmed the US's support for Ukraine's defense efforts, stating that it is ultimately up to Ukraine to decide the timing of peace negotiations [0ae0d27f] [5c5268bd].
In a related context, concerns remain over India's ties with Russia and its independent stance on Ukraine, which could influence future defense agreements. Senator Marco Rubio has introduced a bill to treat India like NATO allies in terms of weaponry sharing, reflecting the US's desire to deepen military cooperation [88c781bc]. As part of his diplomatic engagements, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on August 24, 2024, advocating for peace in Ukraine and further highlighting India's active role in international diplomacy [2cb3c2b2]. The outcome of the US presidential elections in November 2024 is also expected to significantly influence Indo-US relations [88c781bc].