India and the US have officially signed a 10-year framework agreement designed to deepen their bilateral defense relationship. This landmark accord was finalized during a meeting between India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The agreement was inked on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus.
This development occurs at a time when India is carefully navigating a complex geopolitical landscape, balancing trade negotiations with the US and maintaining its established relationship with Russia. Recent weeks have seen renewed diplomatic efforts to revive stalled trade talks, which were previously impacted by US tariffs on Indian goods and penalties related to India’s oil purchases from Russia.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed optimism about the agreement, stating that it signifies the beginning of a “new era” for their robust defense partnership. He highlighted that the framework will provide crucial policy direction across the entire spectrum of India-US defense cooperation, reinforcing defense as a major pillar of their bilateral relations. Singh emphasized the partnership’s importance in fostering a “free, open, and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region.”
Both nations share a commitment to a rules-based international order, contributing to peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific. This strategic alignment comes amidst China’s increasing assertiveness in the region, marked by its efforts to expand military bases and influence.
This pact builds upon a previous agreement from last year, which facilitated the mutual supply of defense goods and services, ensuring access to necessary industrial resources and addressing potential supply chain disruptions for national security needs.
US counterpart Pete Hegseth echoed the positive sentiment, stating that India-US defense ties have reached unprecedented strength. He affirmed that the new 10-year framework will advance their partnership, which is fundamental to regional stability and deterrence, by enhancing coordination, information sharing, and technological cooperation.