India and the US have signed a bilateral, non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) to ensure mutual access to industrial resources during unexpected supply chain disruptions, vital for national security, according to a Pentagon statement.
The agreement was signed on Thursday by Vic Ramdass, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, representing the US Department of Defense (DoD), and Samir Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisitions), representing India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The SOSA ensures reciprocal priority support for goods and services that enhance national defense. Ramdass noted that this arrangement marks a significant milestone in the US-India Major Defense Partnership, further strengthening the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).
Under the SOSA, both countries commit to prioritizing each other’s requests for critical defense resources. The US will provide India with assurances under the US Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS), with determinations made by the DoD and authorizations by the Department of Commerce. In return, India will establish a government-industry Code of Conduct, where Indian firms voluntarily pledge to prioritize US requests.
SOSAs help improve interoperability with US defense partners, establish communication channels, and proactively address supply chain issues in various situations. These arrangements also guide investment strategies to ensure supply chain security.
India is the 18th country to enter into a SOSA with the US, joining partners like Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, and the UK.
