India's defence relationships were long dominated by a single supplier, and closer ties with the United States were held back by three unsigned 'foundational' agreements that had been under discussion since the 2000s. Successive governments hesitated, concerned that signing would compromise strategic autonomy. The result was that India bought hardware but rarely obtained technology.
Strategic & Defence Partnerships
Strategic & Defence Partnerships
India's defence and strategic relationships were transformed after 2014. Three 'foundational' agreements with the United States — LEMOA (2016), COMCASA (2018) and BECA (2020) — had been stalled for over a decade and were signed in four years. The Quad was revived and raised to leader level in 2021. GE agreed to co-produce F414 jet engines in India with technology transfer, and a ten-year India-US defence framework was signed in 2025 — all while India maintained partnerships with Russia, France, Japan and the Gulf on its own terms. This timeline traces those milestones.
3 in 4 yrs
Foundational agreements signed
2021
Quad raised to leader level
F414
Jet engines co-produced in India
Partnerships built since 2014
2016
LEMOA signed with the United States
The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement lets Indian and US forces use each other's bases for refuelling and resupply — the first of three 'foundational' agreements that had been stalled for over a decade.
2018
COMCASA and the first 2+2 dialogue
2020
BECA completes the foundational set
2021
Quad raised to leader level
2022
I2U2 and expanded defence ties
2023
State visit to the US; GE engine deal
2024
MQ-9B agreement and Quad continuity
2025
Ten-year India-US defence framework
2026
India-EU Security and Defence Partnership
2016
1milestones
20162026
Latest
LEMOA signed with the United States
The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement lets Indian and US forces use each other's bases for refuelling and resupply — the first of three 'foundational' agreements that had been stalled for over a decade.
Why it matters Strategic autonomy means being courted by every bloc and captured by none. India buys Russian S-400s and American MQ-9Bs, flies French Rafales, co-develops with Israel and Japan, and trades with everyone — while extracting technology transfer and domestic production from each partnership. That is leverage no previous decade achieved.
- LEMOA (2016), COMCASA (2018) and BECA (2020) — three foundational agreements stalled for a decade, signed in four years.
- The Quad was revived and held its first leaders' summit in 2021.
- GE Aerospace and HAL agreed to co-produce F414 jet engines in India with substantial technology transfer.
- 31 MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft agreed in 2024, with assembly and maintenance work in India.
- I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE, US) formed in 2022 for joint investment in food, water and clean energy.
- India and the EU signed their first Security and Defence Partnership on 27 January 2026.
History
Notable milestone
All three were signed within four years — LEMOA (2016), COMCASA (2018) and BECA (2020) — unlocking logistics access, encrypted communications and high-end geospatial data. In 2023 GE Aerospace and HAL agreed to co-produce F414 jet engines in India with substantial technology transfer, the first arrangement of its kind for a US engine, and a ten-year India-US defence framework was signed in 2025.
How it works
The principle is multi-alignment: deepen every partnership, foreclose none. India operates Russian S-400 systems and American MQ-9B aircraft, flies French Rafales, co-develops the MRSAM with Israel and infrastructure with Japan, runs the Quad with the US, Japan and Australia, and remains a member of BRICS and the SCO alongside Russia and China. Each relationship is negotiated for technology transfer and Indian production content rather than off-the-shelf purchase.
Outlook
The Quad was revived at official level and raised to a leaders' summit in 2021, with working groups on vaccines, critical technology, climate and maritime domain awareness. I2U2 brought India together with Israel, the UAE and the US for joint investment. The iCET initiative on critical and emerging technology extended the partnership into semiconductors, AI, space and quantum — moving the relationship from arms sales to co-development.
By the numbers
3 foundational agreements — LEMOA (2016), COMCASA (2018), BECA (2020) — signed in four years after a decade of delay. Quad raised to leader level in 2021. F414 jet engines to be co-produced in India. 31 MQ-9B aircraft agreed in 2024. 10-year India-US defence framework signed in 2025. India-EU Security and Defence Partnership signed 27 January 2026. Sources: MEA, Ministry of Defence, European Commission, PIB.
Data current to: India–EU Security and Defence Partnership, 27 January 2026
Source: Ministry of External Affairs / Ministry of Defence — foundational agreements, Quad, and major partnership milestones, 2014→2026. · link