What Happened
- The 18th India-US Defence Policy Group (DPG) meeting was held in New Delhi, co-chaired by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby.
- Both sides reviewed ongoing co-development initiatives, identified priority areas for co-production of defence equipment, and reaffirmed commitment to enhancing military-to-military cooperation through joint exercises, training visits, and strategic exchanges.
- The two sides took stock of the joint project to co-develop air-launched unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).
- They welcomed the inaugural Industrial Security Agreement meeting in India to facilitate high-end defence industrial collaboration, and agreed to encourage private and government stakeholders to use existing innovation ecosystems for co-development and co-production.
- New domains such as space, Artificial Intelligence, cyber, and counter-UAV technologies were highlighted as expanding areas of cooperation.
- The ongoing crisis in West Asia also figured in the deliberations on regional security.
Static Topic Bridges
Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI)
The Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) was established in 2012 as a bilateral framework to elevate India-US defence trade, eliminate bureaucratic obstacles, accelerate project timelines, and promote co-production and co-development of defence systems. It operates through four Service-led Joint Working Groups (JWGs) covering Land Systems, Naval Systems, Air Systems, and Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation. One of DTTI's notable outcomes is the Project Agreement for Air-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) signed under the Air Systems JWG — a concrete example of technology co-development. Under the Trump administration, DTTI is being continued alongside the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X), launched in June 2023, which specifically links defence innovation ecosystems of both countries.
- Established: 2012 under the US-India Defence Relationship
- Comprises four Joint Working Groups: Land, Naval, Air Systems, Aircraft Carrier Technology
- Key project: Air-Launched UAV co-development under Air Systems JWG
- INDUS-X (launched June 2023): innovation bridge under the broader iCET framework connecting defence startups, investors, universities
Connection to this news: The 18th DPG meeting directly reviewed DTTI project progress and identified new priority areas for co-production, making DTTI the institutional backbone of the outcomes discussed.
India's Major Defence Partner Status and Foundational Agreements
India was designated a "Major Defence Partner" of the United States in 2016, a unique status that facilitates defence technology sharing at par with America's closest allies. This was accompanied by a series of foundational agreements enabling deeper military-to-military cooperation: LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, 2016), COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement, 2018), BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement, 2020), and ISA (Industrial Security Agreement, 2019). In 2018, India was granted Strategic Trade Authority-1 (STA-1) status, allowing license-free access to advanced dual-use technologies from the US. These agreements collectively enable intelligence sharing, logistics support, and industrial collaboration — all referenced in the DPG meeting outcomes.
- Major Defence Partner designation: 2016 (unique status, no other country holds this designation)
- Four foundational agreements: LEMOA (2016), COMCASA (2018), BECA (2020), ISA (2019)
- STA-1 status granted to India in 2018: license-free access to advanced dual-use technologies
- Industrial Security Agreement (ISA, 2019): enables collaboration between private defence industries of both countries
Connection to this news: The inaugural Industrial Security Agreement meeting in India, welcomed at the 18th DPG, operationalises the ISA to enable classified defence industrial collaboration — a key step towards realising co-production goals.
India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET)
The iCET was first announced by Prime Ministers Modi and President Biden at the Quad Summit in Tokyo in May 2022 and formally launched by National Security Advisors in January 2023. Led by the National Security Council Secretariats of both countries, iCET covers AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, space, telecom, and defence innovation. Under iCET, the Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) was launched to connect defence innovation ecosystems, while a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap was established for joint development of jet engines, munitions, and other systems. The DPG operates as the formal defence policy layer that implements iCET's defence-specific agenda.
- Announced: May 2022 (Quad Summit, Tokyo); formally launched: January 2023
- Pillar areas: AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, space, telecom, defence innovation
- Sub-initiatives: INDUS-X (defence innovation bridge), Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap
- Led by National Security Councils of both countries — highest-level technology diplomacy mechanism
Connection to this news: The 18th DPG's focus on space, AI, cyber, and counter-UAV technologies directly reflects the iCET agenda being translated into concrete defence policy outcomes.
India's Quad Membership and Indo-Pacific Security Architecture
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) — comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia — represents the broader security architecture within which India-US bilateral defence ties are embedded. Reconvened at the leader level in March 2021, the Quad focuses on a free and open Indo-Pacific, with working groups on vaccines, climate change, critical technologies, space, and cyber security. India's defence cooperation with the US through the DPG strengthens India's position in the Indo-Pacific security framework. Regional security dynamics, including the West Asia crisis discussed at the 18th DPG, reflect India's growing role as a security provider in multiple theatres.
- Quad members: India, USA, Japan, Australia
- Reconvened at leader level: March 2021 (after a gap since 2007)
- Focus: Free and Open Indo-Pacific; technology, space, cyber, health security
- India's stance: Engagement without formal alliance commitments; strategic autonomy
Connection to this news: The 18th DPG's discussions on regional security and the West Asia crisis position India-US defence ties as extending beyond bilateral concerns to broader Indo-Pacific and global security management.
Key Facts & Data
- 18th India-US Defence Policy Group (DPG) meeting held in New Delhi, March 2026
- Co-chaired by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh (India) and Elbridge Colby, US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy
- DPG is the apex bilateral defence policy coordination mechanism between India and the US
- India designated "Major Defence Partner" of the US in 2016 — a unique designation
- Air-Launched UAV project under DTTI: signed under Air Systems Joint Working Group
- INDUS-X launched June 2023: links Indian and US defence innovation ecosystems under iCET
- Four foundational defence agreements: LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA, ISA
- New co-development domains discussed: space, AI, cyber, counter-UAV technologies