---
title: "Major Defence Partner Status (India-US) — Definition"
description: "Major Defence Partner status is the unique 2016 designation letting India access US defence technology like a treaty ally without being one. See how it works."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/major-defence-partner-status"
---

[New](https://modeldiplomat.com/)

#

Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Major Defence Partner is a unique designation the United States conferred on India in 2016, granting it defence trade and technology access comparable to America's closest allies.
- How does Major Defence Partner status differ from Major Non-NATO Ally status?
- What concrete export-control benefit did the designation produce?
- How does the S-400 purchase and CAATSA affect the partnership?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Go beyond the definition

## Research Major Defence Partner Status (India-US) like a delegate

Model Diplomat's AI drafts position papers, speeches, and country research with real sources — built for MUN and politics students.

## Research it like a delegate

Research on modeldiplomat.com

## Ask a follow-up about Major Defence Partner Status (India-US)

Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers.

[Start research on Major Defence Partner Status (India-US)](https://modeldiplomat.com/search?q=Explain%20Major%20Defence%20Partner%20Status%20\(India-US\)%20%E2%80%94%20key%20dates%2C%20actors%2C%20positions%2C%20and%20sources)

Example

In June 2016, the Obama administration and Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly recognised India as a Major Defense Partner, a status later codified by the US Congress in the FY2017 NDAA.

Keep learning

## Go deeper than the definition

[Explore all Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams lessons](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services)[Test yourself with a quiz](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/quiz/civil-services)

## Take Major Defence Partner Status (India-US) beyond the glossary

Ask the AI research engine built for diplomacy — get briefings, position papers, and speeches with sources you can cite in committee.