In a major strategic move, India and the United States on Friday signed a 10-year defence framework pact, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening defence cooperation and ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The agreement was signed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth following wide-ranging discussions in Kuala Lumpur.
“This defence framework will provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of the India-US defence relationship. It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence,” Rajnath Singh said on social media.
The new ‘US-India Major Defence Partnership’ pact provides a unified vision for bilateral cooperation over the next decade. It succeeds a similar agreement signed in 2015, which was nearing its expiration.
Had a fruitful meeting with my US counterpart @SecWar Peter Hegseth in Kuala Lumpur. We signed the 10 years ‘Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership’. This will usher in a new era in our already strong defence partnership.
This Defence Framework will provide policy… pic.twitter.com/IEP6Udg9Iw
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 31, 2025
I just met with @rajnathsingh to sign a 10-year U.S.-India Defense Framework.
This advances our defense partnership, a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence.
We’re enhancing our coordination, info sharing, and tech cooperation. Our defense ties have never been… pic.twitter.com/hPmkZdMDv2
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 31, 2025
Both leaders described the meeting as “fruitful”, noting that it builds upon previous defence collaborations and ongoing initiatives in military technology and logistics.
“Defence will remain a major pillar of our bilateral relations. Our partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific,” Singh added.
Following the talks, Pete Hegseth said the pact strengthens regional deterrence and stability. (Photo: @SecWar/X)
US Calls India a ‘Priority Defence Partner’
Following the talks, Hegseth said the pact strengthens regional deterrence and stability.
“The agreement advances our defence partnership, a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence. Our defence ties have never been stronger,” he said.
According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the discussions covered ongoing defence industry and technology collaborations, including joint research, logistics cooperation, and maritime security coordination.
ALSO READ: Stray dogs case: Supreme Court raps state chief secretaries, asks them to appear in person
The signing comes as both nations attempt to repair trade relations, strained after Washington imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods earlier this year.
Despite these tensions, both sides reaffirmed their strategic trust and long-term cooperation in the defence and security domains.
Officials from both countries described the pact as “a broader policy framework” to guide future engagements, including joint exercises, co-production, and technology transfer.
Key Defence and Industry Collaborations
The talks also touched upon the proposed deal between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and US defence major GE Aerospace for joint production of F414 jet engines in India, a project expected to significantly boost India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capacity.
The framework also builds on earlier agreements, including:
LEMOA (2016) — logistics and base-sharing for military replenishment.
COMCASA (2018) — communications security and interoperability.
BECA (2020) — sharing geospatial intelligence and high-end military technology.
Together, these pacts have transformed the Indo-US relationship into one of the most comprehensive defence partnerships globally.
A Decade of Strategic Convergence
Both delegations reviewed ongoing challenges and agreed to strengthen coordination on maritime security, counter-terrorism, and regional stability.
“India remains a priority country for the US in defence cooperation,” the Pentagon readout quoted Hegseth as saying. “We are committed to working closely with India to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The agreement marks the beginning of a new decade of partnership, deepening collaboration on defence industry, research, and joint production initiatives.
During his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Rajnath Singh also held bilateral talks with Malaysia’s Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
Both sides discussed regional security, capacity-building, and maritime cooperation, reaffirming India’s growing engagement with ASEAN partners.
