Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat policy has led to the creation of industrial corridors, increased foreign investment caps, and the establishment of a defense-tech startup ecosystem that is now exporting products. India aims to achieve a defense export target of approximately $6 billion by 2029, a significant increase from about $80 million a decade ago.
Experts have highlighted that China’s manufacturing capacity surpasses that of the US, Japan, and Germany combined, emphasizing India’s strategic importance. The US and India have been collaborating on joint research, co-development, and supply security in the defense sector, recognizing India’s pivotal role in countering Chinese dominance.
Despite the strategic alignment between the US and India, challenges persist in technology sharing and access to defense technologies. The current export-control regimes and procurement rules in Washington pose obstacles to deeper cooperation with India, hindering the partnership’s full potential and allowing China to strengthen its industrial and technological advantage.
