The US, India and national security The Excelsior 01 Feb 2025 Maj Gen Harsha Kakar
The US, India and national security The Excelsior 01 Feb 2025
PM Modi’s recent visit to the US, apart from fending off major irritants, including tariffs due to trade imbalances, was a major boost for national security, amongst other aspects. Trump’s team largely comprises of China hawks and a pro-Indian lobby, thus inputs provided to Trump in advance of his bilateral would have been positive towards India.
Added is the Modi-Trump chemistry, continuing from Trump’s earlier tenure. Many western strategic analysts, in their assessments on US television debates, have commented that India had prepared itself for the discussion and the same should be a lesson for other states.
National and regional security are a major concern for New Delhi, especially in a neighbourhood which is tilting towards China, India’s major adversary. This took centre stage. Even the joint statement commenced with defence cooperation. For the US, India is a major partner and the nation with whom it conducts maximum military exercises. At the end of the bilateral, Trump mentioned, ‘PM Modi and I are announcing a framework to strengthen ties even further.’
This framework was the ‘US-India COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology) for the 21st century.’ It is aimed at ‘driving demonstrative changes across key pillars of cooperation,’ indicating growing India-US proximity. This would deepen cooperation across all domains.
A new defence initiative is ASIA (Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance) aimed at co-development and co-production of maritime drones and counter-drone systems. It would boost industrial partnerships. It was also decided to complete the procurement of six P-81 Maritime Patrol Aircraft this year.
The US also offered the Javelin Anti-Tank guided missiles as also the Stryker Infantry combat vehicles. The Javelin missiles are being effectively employed by Ukrainian troops against Russian armoured columns. Its kill rate is claimed to be as high as 93%. India has been interested in domestic manufacture of both equipment.
In addition, discussions would begin for a Reciprocal Defence Procurement Agreement designed to streamline defence procurement processes and enhance cooperation. The US has committed to review its ‘International Traffic in Arms Regulation’ which will facilitate smoother access to defence equipment including their maintenance and repair.
In the joint press conference Trump mentioned that the US would ‘eventually provide’ India with the F35 stealth aircraft. The announcement alone marks a major shift in military cooperation as India would be amongst few nations being offered the aircraft. While this is still at the proposal stage, it conveys that Indo-US relations and defence cooperation are growing.
The joint statement also commented on terrorism emanating from Pakistan. It mentioned, ‘The leaders called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, and Pathankot attacks and ensure that its territory is not used to carry out cross-border terrorist attacks.’ This highlights US acceptance of Pakistan being a terror supporting state.
The mention of terrorism alongside the offer of multiple military platforms irked Islamabad. Their foreign ministry spokesperson termed the statement as ‘one-sided’ as also added that provision of military equipment to India will alter strategic balance in the region. Pakistan is aware that its relevance to the US has dropped since the departure of US troops from Afghanistan.
What was missing in the statement as also the press conference was re-consideration of US sanctions on the Chabahar port in Iran, which will impact India’s trade with Afghanistan as also Central Asia. Trump had recently imposed sanctions on the port.
Trump himself announced that the US will extradite Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana to face justice in India. Rana has lost all appeals against his extradition. What came as a veiled warning to others, largely Khalistan supporters, was Trump mentioning, ‘We are giving him (Rana) back to India immediately and there would be more to follow because we have quite a few requests. We work with India on crime and we want to make it very good for India.’ Khalistan supporters on India’s wanted list can now expect a free return ticket to their homeland.
The change in approach of Khalistan supporters has been visible since Trump entered the White House. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the head of Sikhs for Justice, is largely silent. There were muted protests by Khalistan supporters, during PM Modi’s visit, near the White House, quickly changing venue when warned by local police. There were no threats or videos released by Pannun, aware that the deep state which protected him has collapsed.
NSA Ajit Doval, against whom Pannun had filed a case in a court in New York against the attempt on his life, accompanied the PM on this visit. He did not accompany PM Modi for the QUAD summit hosted by Biden as the deep state could have made it uncomfortable for him. This again is a sign that change is in the air as far as the Khalistan movement is concerned. They can no longer target Indian consulates and threaten diplomats as they had earlier done and get away with it.
PM Modi also interacted with Tulsi Gabbard, US Director of National Intelligence, another pro-India appointee. As per reports, they discussed cooperation in intelligence, counter-terrorism and emerging threats. Khalistan activities would have been raised.
It is also likely that Washington will demand that Canada cracks down on Khalistan groups as they are largely involved in drug smuggling to the US. With pro-India elements heading key intelligence agencies, Khalistan supporters’ ability to spread anti-India propaganda and hate will be curbed.
The other visible change was when it came to Bangladesh. As per the foreign secretary, Trump and Modi did discuss Bangladesh. When questioned on the involvement of the deep state in the uprising and Bangladesh’s future by a reporter, Trump denied any role of the deep state and mentioned, ‘I will leave Bangladesh to the Prime Minister.’
The implication of his statement is that India would be the lead on managing Bangladesh. US and India would work together, considering India’s security concerns. With Trump stopping USAID, multiple projects in Bangladesh have come to a standstill. How will India now tackle Yunus, with funding from the deep state ceasing, is now to be seen.
Delhi and Washington are pushing forward at a time when most nations all pulling back from the US, wary of Trump. Greater cooperation can be expected in the coming days. India and the US will cooperate on building India’s defence capabilities as also addressing its security concerns.