India, US ink new 10-year framework to boost defence partnership

New Delhi, October 31. India and the US have taken a major step forward in their strategic defence ties with the signing of a new 10-year ‘Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership’.

The agreement was signed following a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur on October 31.

The meeting began with delegation-level talks, followed by a one-on-one discussion between the two leaders. Both sides reviewed ongoing defence cooperation, including industry and technology collaborations, and discussed ways to address shared security challenges amid increasing geopolitical uncertainties.

Rajnath Singh and Pete Hegseth appreciated the growing momentum in the bilateral defence partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across all domains. Hegseth described India as a “priority country” for the US in defence cooperation, emphasising Washington’s commitment to work closely with New Delhi to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The new framework, which replaces the 2015 agreement, aims to provide strategic direction and policy coherence to further transform the partnership over the next decade. It envisions deeper collaboration in military exercises, defence industry, information sharing, and technology development.

In a post on X, Rajnath Singh expressed confidence that the framework would provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of the India–US defence relationship.

“It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new decade of partnership. Defence will remain a major pillar of our bilateral relations. Our partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific,” he wrote.

Hegseth, in his post, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the framework advances the bilateral defence partnership – “a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence”. He added, “We’re enhancing our coordination, information sharing, and technology cooperation. Our defence ties have never been stronger.”

India and the US continue to expand their defence cooperation through joint military exercises, information exchange, collaboration with like-minded partners, and enhanced industrial and technological partnerships, reinforcing their shared commitment to regional security and stability.