Despite recent trade tensions, defense cooperation between the United States and India remains a strong pillar of their relationship, with both countries actively working to strengthen their strategic partnership. A Pentagon official has highlighted the continuous efforts to elevate the India-U.S. defense relationship, emphasizing its importance in the Indo-Pacific region.

Ongoing Military Exercises The 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025, an annual bilateral military exercise between India and the US, recently concluded in Alaska. The exercise, held from September 1-14, involved approximately 450 personnel from the Indian Army, led by a battalion of the Madras Regiment, and soldiers from the US Army's 11th Airborne Division. Yudh Abhyas has grown significantly since its inception in 2002, evolving from a platoon-level peacekeeping drill into one of the most advanced bilateral military exercises India conducts with any partner nation.

The exercise included command post exercises where officers from both countries collaborated on operational planning, command and control, and coordination. Field training in the sub-Arctic terrain included drills and maneuvers, sniper and reconnaissance training, counter-IED training, and obstacle laying and demolition exercises. The final phase involved combined tactical operations and validation drills in adverse weather conditions, employing infantry, artillery, aviation, electronic warfare, and counter-drone systems under joint command and control. Live-fire maneuvers and combined battle group operations were showcased on a Distinguished Visitor Day.

Focus on Interoperability and Strategic Alignment Senior officers from both sides expressed satisfaction with the seamless coordination between troops, underscoring the growing synergy between the two forces. The exercise allowed soldiers from both sides to adapt their procedures to one another and build familiarity under realistic combat conditions, enhancing interoperability and operational readiness. Medical readiness, including casualty evacuation, frostbite prevention, high-altitude physiology, and force health protection, was also a key area of focus, crucial for operations in extreme weather conditions.

Broader Defense Cooperation India and the U.S. have agreed to expand defense ties, with talks underway on a new 10-year framework. This framework aims to advance defense industrial, science, and technology cooperation; operational coordination; regional cooperation; and information-sharing. Both sides are building upon the progress made under the India-U.S. COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century and beyond.

Strengthening Maritime Security India and the United States are also poised to finalize a $4 billion agreement for the procurement of six Boeing P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft for the Indian Navy. This deal will significantly boost India's surveillance capabilities, particularly across critical maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Malacca, and counterbalance China's expanding naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region. A senior delegation comprising US Defense Department officials and Boeing executives is expected to visit New Delhi to finalize the deal, underscoring the commitment to strengthen defense cooperation and strategic partnership.

The Quad and Regional Security The United States and India are key partners in the Quad, an emerging strategic partnership between India, Japan, Australia, and the United States. Experts have suggested strengthening defense cooperation within the Quad, including collective military-industrial capacity, resilience with military and non-military supply chains, operational coordination, and defense planning consultation.

Trade and Geopolitical Considerations Despite trade tensions, there has been no "dramatic freezing out" of defense links. Even with the U.S. imposing tariffs on India, the lines of communication have not broken down, and both sides continue to engage. Some analysts believe that the trust deficit between China and India is much deeper than that between the U.S. and India, further solidifying the defense partnership between Washington and New Delhi.

Overall, the U.S. and India are committed to enhancing their defense partnership through military exercises, defense procurement, and strategic alignment, contributing to a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Indo-Pacific region.