India Military Accelerates Historic Overhaul to Counter China
A long-delayed plan to integrate India’s armed forces would allow for greater cooperation with the U.S. and its allies.
Indian army soldiers on top a military vehicle along the Srinagar-Leh National highway in 2020.
Photographer: Faisal Khan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
India’s long-delayed plans to overhaul its military are getting a new life as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government moves closer to the U.S. and its allies, which are strengthening defense cooperation against China.
Modi, who will attend a meeting of Quad leaders at the White House Friday along with Australia’s Scott Morrison and Japan’s Yoshihide Suga, is taking steps to undertake the biggest reorganization of India’s military since independence in 1947. The moves to integrate the army, air force and navy -- which now operate with little coordination -- come as the U.S. and U.K. work with Australia to put more nuclear-powered submarines in Asia-Pacific waters.