The parallel track that keeps U.S.-India ties going, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• The Quad Leaders’ Summit, scheduled to be hosted by India, was postponed due to bilateral tensions and communication issues.
• Despite political strains, institutional collaboration between India and the U.S. continues, especially in defence and technology.
• A 10-year Defence Framework Agreement was signed in October 2025 to enhance coordination and information sharing.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and General Electric signed a billion-dollar deal in November 2025 for fighter jet engines.
• The NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite was launched in July 2025 for disaster resilience and infrastructure planning.

Detailed Insights:

• Despite trade sanctions and shifting diplomatic postures, the India-U.S. partnership remains resilient due to strong institutional engagement.
• The July 2025 Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Washington introduced initiatives spanning maritime security, economic cooperation, and critical technologies.
• Regular bilateral military exercises like Yudh Abhyas, Tiger Claw, and Malabar enhance interoperability and trust between forces.
• Foundational defence agreements such as LEMOA, COMCASA, and BECA promote logistical support and information sharing.
• The inaugural Quad Ports of the Future Conference in Mumbai in November 2025 focused on developing resilient and secure ports.
• Expanding cooperation into broader sectors can build mutual trust essential during political lows, ensuring the alliance's robustness.

Key Concepts Involved:

• LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement): Facilitates logistical support, supplies, and services between the armed forces of India and the U.S.
• COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement): Enables the U.S. to provide India with secured communication and information technology.
• BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement): Facilitates the sharing of geospatial intelligence between India and the U.S.
• Quad: A strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.