WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026, a sweeping defense policy measure that explicitly calls for expanded U.S. military engagement with India and deeper cooperation through the Quad as part of Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
The legislation authorizes $890 billion in national security spending and directs the United States to broaden strategic and defense ties with India, including through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
In a signing statement, Trump said the law “will enable the Department of War to carry out my Peace Through Strength agenda, protect the homeland from domestic and foreign threats, and strengthen the defence industrial base,” while codifying elements of more than a dozen executive actions taken by his administration.
The NDAA calls for expanded bilateral and multilateral military engagements with India, increased participation in joint military exercises, greater defense trade, and closer cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster response. It also identifies maritime security as a priority area for deeper U.S.-India collaboration.
The law mandates a joint U.S.-India assessment of nuclear liability rules under the United States-India Strategic Security Dialogue. It directs the Secretary of State to establish a recurring consultative mechanism with India to review implementation of the 2008 civil nuclear agreement, explore opportunities for aligning India’s domestic nuclear liability framework with international norms, and develop joint diplomatic strategies on civil nuclear cooperation.
Under the legislation, the State Department must submit a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment and annually thereafter for five years.
The NDAA also requires U.S. assessments of Russia’s military cooperation with India, as well as Russia’s broader military posture affecting the Indo-Pacific and other regions.
Separately, the law authorizes the creation of an Ambassador-at-Large for the Indian Ocean Region within the State Department. The role would coordinate U.S. diplomatic efforts across Indian Ocean countries and focus on countering what the legislation describes as malign influence by the People’s Republic of China.
The defense bill also authorizes $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative and includes provisions aimed at preventing Chinese military companies from evading U.S. restrictions through third-party countries.
Beyond strategic and geopolitical measures, the NDAA provides a 3.8 percent pay raise for U.S. service members and allocates funding for military housing, health care, childcare, and protections for civilian defense employees.
Passed annually for more than six decades, the NDAA establishes U.S. defense policy and spending priorities. The fiscal 2026 law formally embeds expanded military, nuclear, and regional engagement with India into U.S. defense legislation. (Source: IANS)
