India, US sign key defence supply pact as Rajnath begins 4-day visit

CategoryDefence

Last Updated25/08/2024

The SOSA will mandate the 2 countries to provide reciprocal priority support for goods and services that promote national defence.

During Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's official visit to Washington, D.C., India and the US signed a non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) and a Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers.
These agreements mark a new phase in the defence partnership between the two nations, enhancing collaboration and supply chain resilience in the face of global challenges.

Overview: The SOSA is a strategic agreement that commits both nations to provide reciprocal priority support for goods and services crucial to national defence.
This arrangement aims to ensure that both countries can rely on each other to resolve unanticipated supply chain disruptions that may affect their national security needs.
Significance: As the 18th country to sign such an agreement with the US, India joins a select group of nations, including Australia, Japan, and the UK, in reinforcing its defence supply chain security.
The SOSA will particularly benefit Indian companies by granting them priority access to critical supplies from the US, thereby enhancing the defence industrial cooperation between the two countries.
US Perspective: The US Department of Defence highlighted that the SOSA is a vital mechanism for strengthening interoperability with its defence trade partners. It establishes communication channels, working groups, and streamlined processes to address supply chain issues during peacetime, emergencies, and conflicts.
The agreement also supports the broader Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) between the US and India, fostering co-development and co-production efforts.

Overview: This agreement facilitates the posting of Indian armed forces officers in key US strategic commands. The first Liaison Officer from India will be deployed to the Headquarters Special Operations Command in Florida.
Strategic Importance: The deployment of Liaison Officers is expected to enhance the sharing of critical information between India and the US, further strengthening the strategic partnership. This move aligns with the broader goal of deepening military collaboration and operational coordination between the two nations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Historical Context: India-US defence cooperation has been on an upward trajectory since 2016, with the signing of several foundational agreements that have paved the way for closer military collaboration.
The SOSA is the latest addition to this series of agreements, underscoring the mutual trust and shared strategic interests between the two countries.
Future Prospects: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed various opportunities for co-development and co-production in the defence sector, as outlined in the India-US Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap.

Indo-Pacific Strategy: Both leaders acknowledged the progress made in operationalizing the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness, a Quad initiative aimed at enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
Global Supply Chain Resilience: The SOSA and related agreements contribute to the resilience of global defence supply chains, which is crucial in an increasingly interconnected and unpredictable world.