[Answered] Analyze the ‘dual-track’ nature of India–U.S. relations, where institutional collaboration in defence and technology thrives despite fluctuating political engagement. Evaluate how mechanisms like the TRUST initiative and the 2025 Defence Framework ensure the partnership’s resilience against geopolitical and economic headwinds.

Introduction

India–U.S. relations reflect a dual-track diplomacy, where despite trade frictions and summit delays, defence, technology and institutional cooperation deepen, anchoring ties amid Indo-Pacific uncertainty and global power realignments.

Dual-track diplomacy

1. Political track: Characterised by summit diplomacy, trade negotiations and signalling, often vulnerable to electoral cycles, tariffs and third-country dynamics.
2. Institutional track: Driven by bureaucracies, armed forces, regulators and research agencies, ensuring continuity through rules-based cooperation and long-term strategic convergence.

Political fluctuations: Contemporary challenges

1. Trade frictions: U.S. tariffs on Indian exports and secondary sanctions linked to Russian crude oil purchases weakened economic confidence in 2025.
2. Strategic signalling: Perceptions of a U.S.–China tactical thaw and renewed U.S.–Pakistan engagement generated unease in New Delhi.
3. Diplomatic optics: Postponement of the Quad Leaders’ Summit illustrated visible political strain despite ongoing engagements.

Institutional resilience: Defence cooperation as backbone

1. Defence Framework Agreement 2025: A 10-year roadmap enhancing coordination, interoperability, information-sharing and joint capability development, insulated from short-term politics.
2. Foundational agreements: LEMOA (2016): Logistics interoperability
   COMCASA (2018): Secure communications. BECA (2020): Geospatial intelligence sharing
   Together, these institutionalise military cooperation beyond leadership changes.

Technology and innovation: TRUST and beyond

1. TRUST initiative: Focuses on trusted supply chains, secure critical technologies and defence-industrial collaboration, responding to vulnerabilities exposed by China-centric manufacturing.
2. INDUS-X (2023): Connects start-ups, MSMEs and defence primes, enabling co-development and co-production, aligning with Atmanirbhar Bharat.
3. HAL–GE jet engine deal (2025): Billion-dollar agreement symbolising technology transfer and industrial deepening, critical for India’s aerospace autonomy.

Multilateral institutionalisation: The Quad effect

1. Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meetings: Continued regularly, advancing cooperation on maritime security, cyber resilience, HADR and critical technologies.
2. Counterterrorism Working Group: Sustains operational focus on non-traditional threats.
   Ports of the Future Initiative (2025): Reinforces infrastructure diplomacy, countering debt-led models through quality, transparent investments.

Science and space cooperation: Strategic spillovers

1. NISAR satellite (NASA–ISRO, 2025): Enhances disaster management, agriculture planning and climate resilience, showcasing civilian-tech synergy.
2. Strategic value: Builds trust, data-sharing norms and people-to-people institutional linkages beyond defence.

Geopolitical and economic headwinds: How institutions buffer shocks

1. China factor: Shared concerns over Indo-Pacific militarisation sustain convergence despite tactical divergences.
2. Economic uncertainty: Institutional defence contracts and technology ecosystems are less tariff-sensitive than merchandise trade.
3. Strategic autonomy: India leverages institutions to cooperate without formal alliances, preserving policy flexibility.

Limitations and risks

1. Regulatory asymmetries: Export controls and IP regimes still constrain technology absorption.
2. Over-securitisation: Excessive defence focus risks neglecting trade, mobility and climate cooperation.
3. Political neglect: Prolonged summit-level disengagement may weaken public and parliamentary support.

Way forward: Deepening the institutional track

1. Whole-of-government approach: Align defence, commerce, space and digital ministries.
   Beyond defence: Expand institutional frameworks into semiconductors, AI governance, clean energy and education.
2. Trust-building: Regular strategic dialogues to prevent institutional drift during political downturns.

Conclusion

Echoing Kautilya’s emphasis on durable alliances and President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s vision of technology-led partnerships, India–U.S. ties endure because institutions stabilise strategy when politics falter.