Trump Signs Defence Bill: Boosts India Ties, Quad Role in Indo-Pacific Against China

• President Trump signed the National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2026 into law.
• The bill mandates deeper US engagement with India, including through the Quad, to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• Its primary objective is to counter China's growing influence and strengthen US defence alliances in the region.
• The Act expands defence trade, fosters cooperation on maritime security, and includes military exercises with India.
• A joint mechanism will assess India's nuclear liability rules to align them with international norms.

Why It Matters: US defence bill strengthens strategic ties with India and Quad to counter China in Indo-Pacific.