The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026 officially designates India as a vital partner in the United States’ Indo-Pacific and nuclear strategies, marking a significant elevation in bilateral ties. Passed by Congress on December 7, 2025, the Act mandates a joint consultative mechanism under the US-India Strategic Security Dialogue to align India’s nuclear liability rules with international norms, reviving stalled civil nuclear cooperation. India is also named a key member of the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience alongside Australia, Japan, South Korea, and others, aimed at enhancing co-development, defense innovation, and supply chain security in the region. The NDAA underscores deepening defense cooperation through joint exercises, technology transfer, and maritime security collaboration, reflecting India’s integral role in Washington’s long-term strategy to counterbalance China’s regional assertiveness and secure a free and open Indo-Pacific. This strategic partnership aligns with recent moves such as the India-US 10-year defense cooperation framework signed in October 2025.