The United States is signaling a stronger partnership with India as part of its new defence policy for 2026. The recently released National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) underscores America’s commitment to collaborating with India through initiatives like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region and address rising challenges from China.
The bill emphasizes that the Secretary of Defence should continue efforts to strengthen US defence alliances and partnerships across the Indo-Pacific. Key measures include broadening US engagement with India through bilateral and multilateral initiatives, participating in joint military exercises, expanding defence trade, and collaborating on humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Maritime security cooperation with New Delhi is also highlighted as a priority.
The Quad, formed in 2017 and including India, the US, Japan, and Australia, aims to counter China’s aggressive strategies in the Indo-Pacific. The NDAA also proposes a security initiative to enhance collaboration among the defence industries of the US and its Indo-Pacific allies. This initiative will focus on improving capabilities, workforce, supply chain security, and resilience among participating countries. The process will identify which nations—such as Australia, Japan, South Korea, India, the Philippines, and New Zealand—will join this strategic effort.
On nuclear cooperation, the bill calls for a joint US-India mechanism to evaluate nuclear liability rules and align India’s regulations with international norms. This consultative process will ensure regular discussions on opportunities for deeper bilateral and multilateral engagements in nuclear energy cooperation. Reports on progress are required within 180 days of enactment and annually for five years.
Overall, the NDAA 2026 sends a clear message: the US is committed to strengthening its strategic ties with India, both militarily and diplomatically, while fostering a stable, cooperative, and resilient Indo-Pacific region.
This step reflects a broader vision of partnership, trust, and shared responsibility—reminding us that international relations are not just about strategy, but also about collaboration, mutual respect, and working together for a safer future.
