India, US enter into Security of Supply Arrangement

India and the United States have officially established a non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA), a significant bilateral agreement designed to ensure the availability of critical industrial resources in times of supply chain disruptions. This arrangement, announced by the Pentagon, will facilitate the procurement of essential materials from each country to meet national security needs and address unexpected shortages.

The agreement was signed on August 22 by Vic Ramdass, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, representing the US Department of Defense, and Samir Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisitions) of India’s Ministry of Defence.

The SOSA outlines reciprocal priority support for goods and services critical to national defense, which will help both nations manage and mitigate supply chain issues more effectively.

The implementation of this SOSA is anticipated to strengthen the strategic defense partnership between the US and India. It aligns with the goals of the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) and represents a milestone in enhancing defense cooperation.

India becomes the 18th country to enter into such an arrangement with the US, joining allies including Australia, Canada, and Japan. This agreement is expected to improve defense interoperability and ensure that both nations can support each other’s defense needs during crises.