Customised Defence Agreements: Foundation for a Strong Indo-US Defence Partnership The defence cooperation between India and the United States has been deepening. This is largely attributed to the signing of four key agreements, namely the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA). Prior to these agreements, arms trade and technology transfers were virtually impossible, as the US Congress had blocked them. Before these deals were inked, India’s major procurements from the US were confined to non-lethal systems, like transport aircraft, heavy lifter helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft. With the basic agreements in place, there is an increased scope for the US to not only transfer advanced systems and technology to India but also to jointly produce them in India. From the point of view of Washington, this is a major shift, given that earlier not only had US denied its own weapons and advanced technology transfer to India but it also prevented other countries from providing even civilian technology. The belief then was that India could use these technology transfers for its missile development programme, which could possibly prove detrimental to the US’ national interests. Cut to present, there has been a considerable degree of convergence in terms of security interests, and the above-mentioned agreements are well placed to achieve those objectives. Joshy M. Paul | January-March 2025 | Journal of Defence Studies
Sailing on the Seven Seas: Indo-US Strategic Partnership in the Indo-Pacific The Indo-Pacific is the primary geography of the Indo-US defence cooperation. In the last two decades, both sides have deepened their strategic relationship. Maritime cooperation is the hallmark of Indo-US defence ties. India and the US are members of the Quad and American drones are bolstering India’s naval capabilities. India is participating in the US-led maritime security efforts like the Combined Maritime Forces. The ties are strong to the extent where American vessels are servicing at the Indian shipyards. However, the relationship is not without its challenges too. India’s scepticism about the American credibility and the isolationist turn in the US politics do present dilemmas in the relationship. Sankalp Gurjar | January-March 2025 | Journal of Defence Studies
History of Cold War Estrangement to Strategic Partnership and the Evolution of India–US Defence Cooperation Indo-US relations witnessed considerable swings during the first five decades post India’s independence, shaped by geopolitical challenges and Cold War dynamics. Defence cooperation between the two nations began in 1962, when India, confronting conflict with China, sought assistance from President Kennedy. However, a deep rift developed as the US aligned with Pakistan during the 1971 Indo-Pak War and deteriorated further after India’s nuclear tests. Despite these setbacks, the turn of the 21st century marked a shift towards engagement, leading to a steady progression towards a strategic partnership. Over time, mutual interests, regional security concerns, and India’s growing global stature contributed to strengthening defence cooperation. The world has transitioned into a new era of strategic rivalry, where the China factor is driving India and the United States towards closer cooperation. This article explores the historical evolution of Indo-US defence relations, analysing the transition from Cold War estrangement to strategic partnership. Guru Saday Batabyal | January-March 2025 | Journal of Defence Studies
Creating Conditions for Utilisation of Higher Defence Outlay Defence expenditure must be aligned with operational requirements and the MoD's capacity to utilise the funds rather than be pegged to a certain percentage of the GDP. Amit Cowshish | | IDSA Comments
The Quad, Africa, and Competition for Critical Minerals The Quad can offer a compelling, inclusive alternative to China’s mineral dominance through an Africa-centered critical minerals strategy. Mohanasakthivel J | | Issue Brief
Trial by Water: Indus Basin and India-Pakistan Relations Publisher: Penguin Random House India In 1947, the Indian subcontinent was partitioned, and Pakistan was born. A shared heritage, a composite culture and centuries-old bonds between people, all seemed to vanish overnight. Nowhere was this rupture more profound than in the Indus Basin—once a unified lifeline of the region, now fragmented by sovereign borders, its rivers flowing through two nations immediately at odds with each other. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, proving that even bitter adversaries could cooperate over shared resources. Yet, it never brought lasting peace. The treaty was suspended by India in April 2025 as a punitive measure in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, and its future remains shrouded in uncertainty. Can it still endure and adapt? Perhaps the time has come for a new arrangement—one that is not just inevitable but essential. This book traces the turbulent history of the Indus Basin and examines how the Indus Waters Treaty has been shaped by the region’s ever-evolving political dynamics. It explores the role of key leaders on both sides, as well as external pressures, in shaping and reshaping one of the world’s most critical transboundary water agreements. The Indus Basin has been a witness to conflict, compromise and survival. And if you seek to understand the true nature of India–Pakistan relations, start with the rivers that bind them. Trial by Water leads us in that direction. ISBN: 9780143471028, Price: ₹ 599/- E-copy available Uttam Kumar Sinha | | Book
Mahabharata’s Strategic Insights: Navigating the Dharmic Compass Publisher: Pentagon Press The appeal and allure of the Mahabharata have remained undiluted for centuries. It is the first text that lays the foundation of Indian strategic thought. This book's analysis is based on the English translation of The Critical Edition of the Mahabharata, by the late Bibek Debroy. The epic falls in the unique category of itihasa, which translates to “it happened like this”. Drawing on historical facts, its primary aim remains deriving lessons and contextualising these with the present. It is a living text with a timeless appeal. The Mahabharata is a foundational text for Indian strategic thought. It successfully distils ancient strategic wisdom through a combination of descriptive, didactic and prescriptive approaches. In doing so, dharma remains its abiding spiritual, philosophical and strategic anchor, with Krishna as its primary architect. This guidance frames the objective of yoga kshema as the raja dharma of a king, or a state, in contemporary times. The book discusses a conceptual framework for wars. This includes its conditional acceptability, planning process and conduct. The book also compares key aspects of the Mahabharata with the Arthashastra and Nitisara, to identify common elements of strategic thought over a period spanning almost 2,000 years. ISBN: 978-81-988370-7-3, Price: ₹ 995/- E-copy available Vivek Chadha | | Book
Ayub’s Foreign Policy: From Alliance to Equidistanc The departure of President Ayub from the Pakistani scene after a decade of almost unchallenged supremacy provides us with an opportune moment for the evaluation of his contribution in the sphere of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Like every other sphere of Pakistani life, the foreign policy of Pakistan, as it has developed over the last decade, has been primarily the handiwork of President Ayub. Mohammed Ayoob | January-February 2025 | Strategic Analysis
