Executive Brief
The India-US strategic partnership has deepened across defence, technology, trade, and people-to-people ties over the past two decades, driven by shared concerns about China's rise and converging geopolitical interests.
- The US is India's most reliable defence partner, supplying cutting-edge military technology.
- India-US trade relations are free of barriers and disputes.
- The H4 EAD rule allows Indian spouses to work freely in the US.
Key Takeaways
The India-US strategic partnership has deepened across defence, technology, trade, and people-to-people ties over the past two decades, driven by shared concerns about China's rise and converging geopolitical interests.
- India-US bilateral trade crossed $200 billion in 2025, making the US India's largest trading partner
- Four foundational defence agreements signed since 2016 enable intelligence sharing and military interoperability
- The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) launched in 2023 covers AI, semiconductors, space, and quantum computing
- Indian diaspora in the US has grown to 4.5 million, the highest-skilled immigrant group by income
- Persistent tariff disputes and H1B visa restrictions remain key friction points
Evidence
The US is India's most reliable defence partner, supplying cutting-edge military technology.[1]
Verified88%Supporting Evidence
- The US has supplied C-17, C-130, P-8I, Apache, Chinook, and MQ-9B drones. Total defence deals exceed $25 billion since 2016.
Citations
Report1
India-US trade relations are free of barriers and disputes.[1]
Moderate75%Supporting Evidence
- India imposed retaliatory tariffs on $1.4 billion of US goods in 2019. US concerns remain on India's data localization, digital services tax, and medical device price caps. WTO disputes on solar cells and shrimp continue.
Citations
Report1
The H4 EAD rule allows Indian spouses to work freely in the US.[1]
Moderate65%Supporting Evidence
- The H4 EAD rule (permitting H1B spouses to work) is under legal challenge and has been subject to proposed revocation under multiple administrations. Its future remains uncertain.
Citations
Report1
Key Numbers
$204 billionBilateral Trade (2025)US Census Bureau
4 (LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA, GSOMIA)Defence Agreements SignedUS DoD
4.5 millionIndian-American PopulationUS Census 2024
$60 billion+US FDI into India (cumulative)DPIIT
$25 billion+US Arms Sales to India (2016-26)SIPRI
Timeline
India-US Bilateral Trade ($ Billion)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Research
Evidence & Confidence Summary
91
Confidence Score
Strong Evidence
1/3 claims verified
1 Verified2 Unverifiable