In December 2016, which country was formally designated by the United States of America as its ‘‘Major Defense Partner’’ to deepen strategic and defence cooperation?

Introduction / Context:
This question comes from international relations and defence cooperation. In December 2016, the United States of America used the special term “Major Defense Partner” for one particular country, signalling a significant upgrade in strategic and defence ties. This designation drew a lot of attention in foreign policy discussions and became a likely topic for competitive exams focused on current affairs and geopolitics.

Given Data / Assumptions:
We are asked to identify which country was designated as a Major Defense Partner by the USA in December 2016. The options are:

• Canada
• Israel
• India
• United Kingdom

We assume the learner has at least some awareness of the growing defence relationship between the USA and India and recognises that this specific phrase was coined in that context, not for long standing NATO allies.

Concept / Approach:
The term “Major Defense Partner” was created by the USA to describe its unique defence relationship with India. This designation is intended to facilitate technology sharing and defence trade at a level similar to that of its closest allies and partners. Although Canada, Israel, and the United Kingdom are close US allies (with Canada and UK being NATO members and Israel having a special security relationship), the specific formal title Major Defense Partner was applied to India. Therefore, the correct approach is to recall this unique phrase as associated with India’s growing strategic partnership with the United States.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall reading news in 2016 about the United States describing India as its Major Defense Partner. Step 2: Understand that this was part of a broader effort to strengthen defence ties, including cooperation in military exercises, technology transfer, and joint development. Step 3: Recognise that Canada and the United Kingdom already enjoy long standing defence ties through NATO and other frameworks and are not typically referred to with this new label. Step 4: Note that while Israel is a close defence partner of the USA, the phrase Major Defense Partner was not formalised for Israel in the same manner at that time. Step 5: Select India as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by remembering official US press releases and bilateral joint statements that explicitly describe India as a Major Defense Partner, a phrase repeatedly highlighted in analyses of India–US relations. Indian newspapers discussed how this designation would ease technology access and align India more closely with US defence export control regimes. In contrast, no comparable term was newly introduced in 2016 for Canada, Israel, or the UK. These countries have long standing security partnerships with the USA but were not the focus of this specific announcement. This confirms India as the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Canada: A key NATO ally and neighbour of the USA but not the country designated with the new label Major Defense Partner in December 2016.

Israel: A major non NATO ally of the USA with deep security ties, yet the distinct term Major Defense Partner was applied to India, not Israel.

United Kingdom: A historic ally and NATO member, but again, the 2016 announcement specifically named India for this new category.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates might assume that traditional allies like the UK or Israel would naturally receive such a designation and therefore guess incorrectly. Another pitfall is to overlook the fact that the term was introduced precisely to recognise India’s special position outside existing treaty alliances. To avoid confusion, remember that Major Defense Partner is a phrase you typically see paired with India in official India–US documents and exam oriented current affairs notes.

Final Answer:
In December 2016, the USA designated India as its Major Defense Partner.