New Delhi: In a major step toward strengthening defence and strategic ties, India and the United States have signed a new 10-year Defence Framework Agreement aimed at deepening cooperation across multiple sectors. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth formalized the pact during their meeting in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting their first in-person interaction.
The agreement marks a significant expansion of the India–US defence partnership, focusing on joint production, technology sharing, and strategic logistics. It seeks to enhance interoperability between the two militaries, allowing easier access to each other’s bases, repair facilities, and logistics networks.
Seen as a response to China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, the pact underscores the shared vision of both nations for a free, open, and secure region. It also opens new avenues for India’s indigenous defence manufacturing, providing long-term access to advanced American defence technologies and fostering joint research and development in areas such as drones, artificial intelligence, and next-generation warfare systems.
The framework is expected to strengthen India’s role within the ASEAN security network, bolstering its position as a key player in regional stability and maritime security. It also aligns with India’s efforts to expand its defence exports and innovation capacity.
After the signing, the US Defence Secretary described the deal as a milestone in bilateral relations, affirming that defence ties between the two countries “have never been stronger.”
The meeting comes amid efforts to ease recent trade tensions after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods earlier this year. With India reducing imports of Russian crude under new sanctions, both sides appear focused on resetting ties and reinforcing cooperation across defence, trade, and technology.
The new decade-long framework signals renewed momentum in India–US relations, laying the foundation for deeper collaboration in regional security and strategic innovation.
