India, US ink 10-year defence framework pact

Amid tense ties over trade and tariff issues, India and the US on Friday signed a new Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his American counterpart Pete Hegseth signed the document on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Malaysia.

“Defence will remain a major pillar of our bilateral relations,” Rajnath said.

In a post on X, he added, “Had a fruitful meeting with my US counterpart in Kuala Lumpur. We signed a new 10-year defence framework. This will usher in a new era in our already strong defence partnership.”

This framework will provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of India-US defence relationship. It is seen as a signal of growing strategic convergence between the two countries.

“Our partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region,” Rajnath said.

This is the third such framework between India and the US; earlier agreements were signed in 2005, second in 2015. Each one has added a layer to cooperation.

Hegseth said the new agreement is expected to advance defence industrial cooperation, a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence.

Hegseth posted on X, saying, “We’re enhancing our coordination, information sharing and technology cooperation. Our defense ties have never been stronger.”