India-USA Relations
International Relations · भारत-USA संबंध · 18 facts
India-USA strategic partnership formally began in the 2000s; described as the world's 'most consequential partnership'.
Bush Nuclear Deal (123 Agreement, 2008): US-India civilian nuclear cooperation; India got NSG waiver; historic breakthrough for non-NPT state.
Obama called India a 'defining partnership of the 21st century'; visit in 2015 as chief guest on Republic Day.
Major Defence Partner (MDP): India designated as Major Defence Partner by USA in 2016 — a unique status created specifically for India.
LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, 2016): Allows India and USA to use each other's military bases for refueling/supplies.
COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement, 2018): Allows India to access encrypted US military communication equipment.
BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement, 2020): Allows sharing of geospatial intelligence — critical for missile guidance systems.
CAATSA tension: India's S-400 purchase from Russia risked US CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions; India sought waiver.
I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE, USA): Launched June 2022; focuses on food security, clean energy, infrastructure, and space.
iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology): Launched 2023 by PM Modi and President Biden; covers semiconductors, AI, defence, space.
H-1B Visa: Indian nationals receive approximately 70% of all H-1B visas issued by the USA annually.
India-US bilateral trade target: $500 billion by 2030; current trade is approximately $200 billion (2023).
QUAD revival (2017): India, USA, Japan, Australia revived the Quad at senior officials level; elevated to leader-level in 2021.
GE F414 jet engine deal (2023): US to co-produce F414 engines with India's HAL for the Tejas Mk-2 fighter jet — unprecedented technology transfer.
Jawahar Lal Nehru's foreign policy: India was initially non-aligned and critical of both US blocs during the Cold War.
US cancelled Cold War-era arms embargo on India in 2001; Indo-US Defence Framework Agreement signed same year.
MQ-9B Predator Drone deal (2023): India to purchase 31 armed drones for Rs 32,000 crore from General Atomics, USA.
Visa issue and immigration: Around 4.5 million Indian-Americans in USA; Indian diaspora is the most prosperous ethnic group in the US.