Speaking in Jaipur on Monday, US Vice President JD Vance set out a strategic blueprint to deepen India-US ties based on three pillars of defense of national security, industrial development and acceleration of innovation in key technologies.
“I want to talk about a few areas of collaboration today, how India and the US can work together,” Vance stated. “First, perhaps most importantly, to protect our nations. Second, to build great things. And finally, to innovate the cutting-edge technologies both our countries will need in the years to come.”
Emphasizing the strong military relationship between the two countries, Vance pointed out that India participates in more joint military exercises with the United States than any other nation. "On defence, our countries already enjoy a close relationship, one of the closest relationships in the world," he added. He highlighted the importance of the newly announced US-India COMPACT initiative by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi as a big step towards co-production of weapons and defense equipment such as Javelin missiles and Stryker combat vehicles. "We seek peace, not conflict. But we believe peace is achieved best through mutual strength," he stated.
Vance also highlighted the newly established Joint Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance, intended to enhance bilateral cooperation in naval defense technologies. With India slated to host the Quad Leaders Summit in the later part of this year, Vance emphasized the common objective of keeping the Indo-Pacific region free and secure. "It's appropriate that India is hosting the Quad Leaders Summit this fall… Our interests in a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific are in complete sync."
He praised India's recognition as a "major defence partner," the first ever from the US, that this ranking places India on the elite league alongside strong partners like the UAE. Vance added the relationship should advance, even further, in acquiring military hardware. "We'd like to sell more military gear to your country, and we believe is best-in-class.". American fifth-generation F-35s, for instance, would allow the Indian Air Force to safeguard your airspace and defend your citizens like never before."
In terms of energy cooperation, Vance termed it as a major spur for India's industrialization. "It's more energy production and more energy consumption," he said, comparing India's development objectives with America's own energy policy. He condemned previous US administrations for restricting energy investments due to fear, in contrast to the present administration's forward-looking approach.
"America is endowed with huge natural resources… We want to export that energy to our friends such as India," he stated. Vance suggested greater cooperation in tapping India's natural reserves and urged fewer trade barriers. "One thing I would suggest is perhaps consider eliminating some of the non-tariff barriers to American access to the Indian market," he said, praising Prime Minister Modi's aggressive negotiating style while also faulting previous US leaders for not putting American workers first.
Vance also tied energy to technology progress, declaring, "There is no AI future without energy security and energy dominance." He was enthusiastic about more extensive tech collaborations, such as in pharmaceuticals, undersea cables, and data infrastructure.
"Collaboration on technology between our nations is going to reach far beyond energy and defence," he asserted. "I say it again. I believe that our countries stand to benefit so much from investing in each other, America investing in India, and obviously, India investing in the US."
In conclusion, he emphasized the common advantages of trade and economic integration: "Americans want greater access to Indian markets. This is a wonderful place to do business… This is very much a win-win partnership. It certainly will be far into the future."
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