NEWS –  The President of the USA and the Prime Minister of India recently launched the U.S.-India COMPACT initiative.

• COMPACT stands for Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology.
• The initiative aims to drive transformative changes in military, trade, technology, and defence industrial cooperation.
• A results-driven approach has been adopted, with initial outcomes expected this year to strengthen mutual trust.

KEY FEATURES OF THE COMPACT INITIATIVE

New Defence Procurements & Regulatory Reforms

• Establishment of a new ten-year Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership.
• The U.S. has pledged additional defence sales and co-production initiatives.

Advancing Defence Technologies & Military Collaboration

• Focus on cooperation in space, air defence, missile systems, maritime, and undersea operations.
• Launch of the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) to promote innovation in AI-enabled counter-UAS and maritime defence.

Economic & Trade Expansion

• Mission 500: Both countries aim to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
• Negotiation of the first phase of a Bilateral Trade Agreement by fall 2025, emphasizing fair trade, national security, and job creation.

Strengthening Technology & Innovation Ties

• Launch of the US-India TRUST Initiative to enhance cooperation in defence, AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, energy, and space.

Boosting Space Cooperation & Critical Minerals Partnership

• Introduction of INDUS Innovation, inspired by the INDUS-X platform, to foster academic and industrial partnerships in space and emerging technology.

Space Collaboration in 2025

• NASA and ISRO collaboration via AXIOM to send the first Indian astronaut to the ISS.
• Expedited launch of the NISAR dual-radar satellite to enhance earth observation capabilities.