India’s Relations with Major World Powers: Strategic Partnerships, Trade & Defence | SSB Facts

Fresh SSB batches start around the 1st & 15th of every month.

🇮🇳

🇺🇸 India–United States

• Relationship status: Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
• Bilateral trade (goods & services): ~USD 190–200 billion.
• US is one of India’s largest trading partners.
• Defence cooperation: Over USD 20 billion worth of defence deals since 2008.
• Foundational defence agreements signed: LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA.
• Cooperation areas: Defence, Indo-Pacific security, semiconductors, AI, clean energy, space, education.
• Strategic alignment through QUAD (India, US, Japan, Australia).

🇨🇳 India–China

• Nature of relationship: Complex & competitive.
• Bilateral trade: ~USD 115–120 billion, heavily tilted in China’s favour.
• Major issue: Border dispute (LAC) since 2020 Galwan clash.
• Diplomatic and military disengagement talks ongoing.
• India restricts Chinese investments and apps citing national security.
• Strategic rivalry in Indo-Pacific and South Asia.

🇷🇺 India–Russia

• Relationship status: Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
• Defence dependence: ~60–65% of India’s legacy defence equipment is Russian-origin.
• Major systems: S-400 air defence, nuclear submarines, fighter jets.
• Russia remains a key energy supplier (discounted crude oil).
• Trade crossed USD 60 billion after 2022 due to energy imports.
• India balances ties despite Russia-Ukraine conflict (strategic autonomy).

🇪🇺 India–European Union

• EU is India’s largest trading partner in goods.
• India-EU trade: ~USD 120 billion.
• Negotiations ongoing for India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• Cooperation in climate action, digital regulation, clean energy, mobility.
• Strong relations with France and Germany within EU.

🇫🇷 India–France

• Relationship: Strategic Partnership (since 1998).
• Defence cooperation: Rafale jets, submarines, joint exercises.
• France supports India’s strategic autonomy.
• Cooperation in nuclear energy, space, Indo-Pacific security.
• One of India’s most reliable defence partners.

🇬🇧 India–United Kingdom

• Historical ties; relationship redefined post-Brexit.
• India-UK trade: ~USD 20 billion.
• Negotiating a Comprehensive FTA.
• Large Indian diaspora: ~1.8 million people of Indian origin.
• Cooperation in education, finance, technology, defence.

🇯🇵 India–Japan

• Relationship: Special Strategic & Global Partnership.
• Major investor in Indian infrastructure (DMIC, bullet train).
• Japan among India’s top FDI sources.
• Strong cooperation in Indo-Pacific, QUAD framework.
• Shared concerns over China’s assertiveness.

🇦🇺 India–Australia

• Relationship upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• Key partner in QUAD.
• Cooperation in critical minerals, defence, education, clean energy.
• Strong people-to-people ties due to Indian students & diaspora.

🇮🇱 India–Israel

• Strategic partner in defence, intelligence, agriculture, cyber security.
• Israel among India’s top defence technology suppliers.
• Cooperation in water management and innovation.
• Strong security cooperation without formal alliance.

🇮🇷 India–Iran

• Important for energy security and regional connectivity.
• Strategic interest in Chabahar Port (access to Afghanistan & Central Asia).
• Relations affected by US sanctions but maintained diplomatically.

🇸🇦🇦🇪 India–Gulf Countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE)

• UAE is India’s top trade partner (goods).
• Indian diaspora in Gulf: ~9 million.
• Cooperation in energy, remittances, infrastructure, counter-terrorism.
• UAE signed CEPA with India (free trade agreement).

🌏 India–ASEAN

• Trade: ~USD 130 billion.
• ASEAN central to India’s Act East Policy.
• Cooperation in maritime security, connectivity, trade.
• Strategic importance in Indo-Pacific balance.

🌍 India–Africa

• Africa is a major partner for energy, minerals, pharmaceuticals.
• India–Africa trade: ~USD 90 billion.
• Development partnership via capacity building, lines of credit.
• Historical goodwill and South-South cooperation.