US NDS 2026: Key Deductions for India

The U.S. National Defence Strategy [NDS] 2026 outlines strategic priorities of the United States, how do these impact India, here is a preview

Key Deductions Indian Perspective

India and the United States have renewed their defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years in 2025. As one of the important strategic partners of the U.S. in the Indo Pacific, the NDS is of considerable interest to India.

While the US National Security Strategy 2025 had outlined priority of the Western Hemisphere and Homeland Defence for the United States, there was a sense that the Indo Pacific and other theatres will be neglected.

US NDS 2026 clarifies that the Indo Pacific will retain interest primarily due to growing strategic competition with China.

This provides a degree of assurance to India facing the ominous China land and maritime

threats.

What Else for India

US Seeks defence burden sharing by allies and partners which in concrete terms allocation of 5 % for defence and security of which 3.5 % is expected for enhancing core defence capability.

India’s defence allocations have been below 2 % given the debate on guns versus butter natural in a developing country.

Will the Indian government increase allocations for defence to meet the US requirement from partners – will be known on February 01, when the Union Finance Minister Ms Nirmala Sitharaman will present her budget.

We do not expect a spike of more than 8-10 % in the allocations of approximately US $ 75 Billion in 2025-26.

THE CRIN – CHINA, RUSSIA, IRAN AND NORTH KOREA

THE US NDS 2026 identifies China, Russia, Iran and North Korea – CRIN or known as the Axis of Evil under the George W Bush Administration as the principal adversaries.

Of these Russia and Iran are India’ long standing strategic partners.

How US progress with these particularly Iran which is facing an imminent second US military operation in as many years will be one of the challenges which India will face.

China – US Focus in Western Pacific

On China the US focus in contesting will remain in the Western Pacific.

Thus, the US NDS 2026 identifies – FIC or First Island Chain as a key line for denial for the Chinese, People’s Liberation Army

India will thus have to self reliant to contest China’s territorial expansion and forays in the Indo Pacific independently.

Homeland Security

There is a convergence of objectives in building homeland defence and security by the Trump as well as Modi Administration.

President Trump’s Golden Drome reflects Prime Minister Modi’s Sudarshan Chakra though the later is far less expansive in terms of primarily land based air, missile and drone defence assets.

Defence Industrial Capabilities

Supercharge the U.S. Defense Industrial Base is one of the themes of the US NDS 2026.

India’s emphasis on Atma Nirbharata in Defence has the same objective.

There is a differential in terms of potential, while much of the US industrial base requires rejuvenation, India is looking at establishing capabilities which are to be built from nascency.

Will the US assist India in building defence industrial capabilities – There are many proposals which are floating but with Indo US relations in a relative slump for now appear to be moving at a slow pace.

Conclusion

All in all, there are many takeaways for India in the US NDS 2026 which need to be factored in defence budgeting, defence industrial capability building and an realistic appraisal of the limits of US support vis a vis China.

Finally, the crying need for India’s National Security Strategy and Defence Strategy flowing out of the same is identified.