Strategic Convergence and Defense Cooperation: A Comparative Policy Analysis of Indo–U.S. Agreements (2005–2024)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29070/sbpp1n37Keywords:
Indo–U.S. Relations, Defense Cooperation, Strategic Convergence, Strategic Autonomy, Indo-Pacific, Security PolicyAbstract
The evolution of Indo–U.S. relations since the mid-2000s marks a major shift in contemporary international politics. After a period of distance and mistrust during the Cold War, India and the United States have gradually built a broad strategic partnership, in which defense cooperation has become a key component. This research paper presents a comparative policy analysis of major Indo–U.S. strategic and defense agreements signed between 2005 and 2024 to examine the scope, nature, and impact of growing strategic convergence between the two countries. Using a qualitative and longitudinal research approach, the study reviews important agreements such as the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), and recent technology-oriented initiatives like the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). The findings indicate a gradual strengthening of institutionalized defense cooperation through improved interoperability, intelligence sharing, and defense-industrial collaboration, while also underlining India’s continued commitment to strategic autonomy. The paper concludes that Indo–U.S. defense cooperation is based on practical strategic alignment shaped by shared security concerns and regional challenges, rather than a formal military alliance. Overall, the study adds to the strategic studies literature by providing a detailed agreement-based assessment of Indo–U.S. defense cooperation and its implications for security in the Indo-Pacific region.
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