The United States and India, strategic partners with shared interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific, are exploring avenues to revitalize their maritime industries through enhanced collaboration. Despite some trade tensions, the underlying strategic partnership remains strong, with both nations recognizing the potential benefits of a deeper engagement in the maritime sector.

One promising area for cooperation lies in allied fleet maintenance. India can serve as a regional hub for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of vessels that the U.S. has exported or transferred to allies in the Indo-Pacific. Indian shipyards possess large dry docks and skilled engineers capable of servicing warships. By handling routine overhauls for Southeast Asian navies, for instance, Indian yards would support allied readiness while freeing up capacity at U.S. shipyards for higher-priority domestic programs. Strengthening ship repair collaboration can also expand shipbuilding capacity. The U.S. Navy has already begun utilizing Indian shipyards for voyage repairs of its ships during deployments.

Joint workforce development represents another vital area. The U.S. and India should facilitate the movement of skilled maritime workers between the two countries. Personnel could be sent to shipbuilding training hubs in South Korea and Japan to acquire expertise and bring those skills back to their respective shipyards. Reciprocal labor agreements with trusted partners can address skills gaps, accelerate technology adoption, and ensure a steady supply of qualified workers for shipbuilding and repair.

Furthermore, the U.S.-India defense collaboration is expanding into maritime technologies, with joint ventures in undersea surveillance and autonomous systems poised to transform shipping security and efficiency. Key areas of focus include maritime systems and undersea technology. This collaboration aligns with India's "Make in India" policy, aimed at countering Chinese influence in vital shipping lanes. Enhanced undersea surveillance can reduce threats in high-risk areas, potentially lowering insurance costs and minimizing disruptions on routes handling 30% of global trade. Dual-use AI systems could enable autonomous vessels, cutting crew expenses and optimizing fuel use. India's manufacturing scale offers affordable components for shipbuilders, supporting greener, smarter operations. The INDUS-X platform connects ventures in maritime surveillance and cybersecurity, fostering new tools for port security and subsea infrastructure. Co-produced systems can target Southeast Asia, creating markets for interoperable, cost-effective tech.

To strengthen maritime security and counter China's naval strength, the two navies must be more integrated, with more interoperable equipment and improved operational collaboration. A joint U.S. Navy-Indian Navy underwater acoustic array system spread across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands could provide a tripwire to monitor Chinese submarines. To achieve a closer naval relationship with the United States, India needs to reduce its reliance on Russian platforms. The United States could offer to meet India's needs more affordably. These could include torpedoes, underwater loitering munitions, and unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs), all of which would strengthen India's antisubmarine warfare capability and enable closer monitoring of Chinese vessels. Both India and the United States have been working separately to develop uncrewed systems, and through the new India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem, they have identified undersea communication and maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) as the focus for two joint challenges and asked startups from the two countries to create innovative solutions addressing these needs.

Despite these opportunities, challenges remain. Recent tariff increases imposed by the U.S. on imports from India have strained trade relations. These tariffs, which could be as high as 50% on goods such as garments, gems, and jewelry, have raised concerns about the reliability of the United States as a partner. However, India has signaled that it remains committed to the partnership. Both countries are actively working on trade agreements with other countries. India has also been deepening cooperation with the United States in a wider set of strategic undertakings, notably, defence cooperation.

Looking ahead, the U.S. and India can deepen their maritime cooperation by focusing on several key areas. These include strengthening the capacity and capability of littoral nations, developing effective mechanisms for inter-state cooperation on maritime law enforcement in the Indian Ocean, and conducting joint or coordinated patrols. Both governments should focus on strengthening the capacity and capability of littoral nations. Such collaboration can develop effective mechanisms for inter-state cooperation on maritime law enforcement in domestic jurisdictions in the Indian Ocean. Opportunities for planning and exercises around Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HA/DR) exist, particularly with South East Asia. By working together, the U.S. and India can enhance maritime security, promote innovation, and bolster their respective maritime industries.