Technology concerns are far serious and deeper ::: We Indians may be angry with Trump .... Bravado is a 'good option' ::: PM says "... I know that I will personally have to pay a very heavy price " ....

When it comes to the great American power, Indians need to be practical too.  

We Indians may be angry with Donald Trump .... As of now some amount of Bravado is a 'good option' ::: PM Narendra Modi says "... I know that I will personally have to pay a very heavy price ". 

India's dependence on the US for technology is a complex issue with both strengths and weaknesses. 

India has historically been dependent on various foreign suppliers for advanced defense technology, but the relationship with the US till recently saw increasing technology transfer, especially with the GE-414 engine deal which features an unprecedented 80% technology transfer.

He is right about it. However, Transfer of Advanced Technology will be essential for India to leapfrog in key sectors such as jet engines, AI and above all, semiconductors. 

The story of Tejas Fighters of Indian Air Force is a striking example.  

The project was sanctioned in 1983 as a replacement for the Soviet-origin MiG-21 fleet. However, when Air Force planned to get the indigenous warplanes airborne in 1994 -- it actually missed several deadlines due to multiple factors.

India has been tach shy. Corporate houses focused on 'trading' and quick money. This is typical Indian trait. We not only love easy money, we love it quicker too.

In Delhi and NCR region, unemployment is soon 'answered' by property-Dalali (real estate commission business).

With Bengalis - the option is 'lazy' going which is often friendly to keeping an eye on neighbourhood uncle's daughters. It's called Tuition.

In states such as Nagaland - its 'cash for vote' during election season. 

The ultimate argument could be - the "failure" to build an engine indigenously was one big reason for unpreparedness of Indian defence forces. Thankfully, things changed a lot after 2014. But still we have to a go a long way.

Over a third of the components used in Tejas were imported. Hence, Sanctions imposed by the Clinton administration in 1998 after India under Vajpayee conducted nuclear tests in May that year nearly brought the Tejas project to a grinding halt.

In an interview in 2013, VK Saraswat, then director general of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said the sanctions pushed the project development back by over two decades. 

The emphasis here is we should have national pride. But we should not over do it too.

The reality test of 2025 -- about 27 years to go to attain 100 years mark as an post-colonial Indian nationhood is Bharat is only a regional power. 

We are strong and emerging. But we cannot go solo as we are far from being a 'superpower'.

Indian economy is four times smaller than China. And the US is as high as eight times strong economy than us. 

In military terms, of we can beat Pakistan in an easy going match. We can at best "hold" China to a possible draw and negotiating table.

But it is also a fact that the US embargo in 1998 caused delays and increased costs for Tejas LCA. It had ultimately encouraged (or forced) India take a stronger focus on self-reliance and bolstered India's resolve to develop its own advanced aerospace capabilities.

2025 offers another option. We must be more realistic, we should be focused and strive hard to attain self-dependence - Atma Nirbhar in technological advancement. 

It's a fact that the US has granted India the status of "Major Defense Partner" and hence the two countries are collaborating on defense technology.

However, India also recognizes the importance of developing its own capabilities and reducing reliance on any single source for critical technologies.

 

Initiatives Beyond Procurement: 

Initiatives like the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) and the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) are fostering collaboration in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Computing (QC), and Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS), focusing on co-development, startup incubation, and collaborative research. 

Diversification of Sources: 

This is one area, the Modi Govt has worked hard.

India continues to explore advanced defense technology partnerships with other countries like Russia, France, and Israel.

The "Make in India" initiative and organizations like the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are driving indigenous defense production and technology development in India.

By February 2025, it has been appreciated that over 65% of defence equipment is manufactured domestically, a significant shift from earlier import dependency. 

India is now actively engaged in deepening its defense and technology partnership particularly in advanced areas, its policy of strategic autonomy and focus on indigenous development and diversification of sources means it is not solely dependent on the US for advanced technology defense.  

Russia is a crucial partner for spares and nuclear capabilities but India’s growing Western defence partnerships mark a historic realignment, benefiting both the Desi  military modernisation.

The Western defence manufacturers including from the US are now seeking a major market.

India has been actually sharply 'reducing' its dependence on Russian defence imports lately.

This was a shift and addressed the western concerns.

The Ukraine war’s and the the 'pivot' of Modi Govt's almost an 'equi distance' policy to Washington as well as Moscow had opened new opportunities for Western defence firms, as India strengthens ties with the US and France.

But post August 2025, Trump will have to take the blame.

ends