India is the world’s most populous country and its largest democracy. From President George W. Bush to President Joe Biden, bilateral ties strengthened with every administration so that the United States and India appeared poised to become the partnership that would strategically define the 21st century. India was also primed to become a multibillion-dollar American defense partner.

Throughout the Cold War, India was non-aligned but tilted toward the Soviet world for its defense platforms. This continued following the Iron Curtain’s fall, much to Washington’s frustration. While New Delhi was willing to purchase some U.S. technology, its defense doctrine was to avoid placing all its eggs in one basket lest it become too reliant on a single supplier. To India’s credit, it did not allow technology to leak among its various suppliers.