Context

• India–United States relations in 2025 reflect a complex and paradoxical phase.
• While political engagement has been strained by economic disputes, shifting strategic priorities, and the postponement of the Quad Leaders’ Summit scheduled to be hosted by India, the underlying architecture of cooperation remains strong.
• This contrast highlights a dual-track dynamic in bilateral relations, where political uncertainty coexists with expanding institutional collaboration.
• Defence, technology, and multilateral mechanisms continue to anchor the partnership, demonstrating that strategic depth extends beyond summit diplomacy.

Political and Economic Frictions

• Bilateral tensions have been driven largely by trade and tariff disputes, particularly U.S. sanctions related to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.
• These measures have coincided with a sharp decline in Indian exports to the U.S. in 2025, underscoring the economic cost of political friction.
• The delayed Quad Leaders’ Summit and limited official communication further reflect this uneasy phase.
• India’s concerns are compounded by Washington’s growing engagement with Pakistan and comparatively lower tariff barriers for both Pakistan and China.
• U.S. cooperation with Islamabad, centred on port access and critical mineral supply chains, signals a pragmatic approach rooted in immediate geopolitical and economic interests.
• From New Delhi’s perspective, this reinforces apprehensions about shifting U.S. priorities and the possibility of a U.S.-China accommodation.
• Nevertheless, American officials continue to emphasise India’s strategic importance, indicating recalibration rather than disengagement.

Sustained Institutional and Multilateral Engagement

• Despite strained political signals, institutional cooperation has continued to expand.
• The July 2025 Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Washington launched initiatives covering maritime security, counterterrorism, economic cooperation, critical technologies, and humanitarian assistance.
• The Quad Counterterrorism Working Group’s third meeting in December 2025 further reinforced the grouping’s functionality and Quad’s operational relevance beyond leadership-level summits.
• High-level visits by India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Indian Navy Chief to the United States fit within this broader pattern of sustained engagement.
• These interactions signal continuity and reaffirm commitment to long-term collaboration, even amid diplomatic caution.

Defence Cooperation as the Cornerstone

• Defence cooperation remains the most stable pillar of the relationship and the defence cooperation cornerstone of bilateral ties.
• Since the 2008 civil nuclear agreement, defence and security frameworks have steadily deepened.
• Foundational agreements such as LEMOA, COMCASA, and BECA have enabled logistical support, secure communications, and intelligence sharing, significantly enhancing military interoperability.
• This momentum continued with the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies and the India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X).
• A major milestone was the signing of a 10-year Defence Framework Agreement in October 2025, institutionalising long-term coordination, information sharing, and technological collaboration aimed at strengthening Indo-Pacific stability.
• Regular military exercises, including Yudh Abhyas, Tiger Claw, and Malabar, continue to deepen trust and operational synergy between the armed forces.

Expanding Technological and Industrial Collaboration

• Beyond defence operations, bilateral cooperation has expanded into industrial and technological domains.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s billion-dollar agreement with General Electric for fighter jet engines highlights growing defence-industrial integration.
• The joint NASA–ISRO NISAR satellite launch in July 2025 further reflects advanced technological cooperation, supporting disaster management, agricultural planning, and infrastructure resilience.
• At the regional level, the Quad Ports of the Future Conference held in Mumbai in November 2025 underscored the importance of technology and infrastructure cooperation.
• With participation from 24 Indo-Pacific partners, the initiative highlighted quality, secure, and resilient port infrastructure as a strategic priority, linking connectivity with economic security and regional development.

Conclusion

• India-U.S. relations in 2025 demonstrate significant institutional resilience despite political headwinds.
• While leadership-level engagement faces constraints from economic disputes and geopolitical recalibrations, cooperation continues through strong bureaucratic frameworks, reflecting bureaucratic continuity and shared strategic interests.
• Looking ahead, sustaining this momentum will require deeper institutional understanding beyond defence, including regulatory alignment, technological integration, and expanded sectoral cooperation.
• Ultimately, the durability of the partnership will rest on its capacity to preserve a long-term strategic partnership that can withstand short-term political volatility while remaining responsive to an evolving global order.