India and the United States have officially signed a landmark 10-year Defence Framework Agreement, marking a significant development in their strategic partnership. The agreement was finalized during a meeting between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
This new framework is designed to provide a unified vision and policy direction that will deepen cooperation between the two countries in all defense domains—including military interoperability across land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace. It also focuses on expanding collaboration in defense technology and industrial partnerships, supporting initiatives like “Make in India, Make for the World” to boost domestic manufacturing capacity.
Both leaders emphasized that this agreement ushers in a new decade of partnership and signals growing strategic convergence. Defence remains a core pillar of the bilateral relationship, vital for ensuring regional stability and a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. Secretary Hegseth described the strengthened defense ties as a cornerstone for regional deterrence and security, while Defence Minister Singh hailed the meeting as fruitful and the framework as a new chapter in Indo-U.S. relations.
The 10-year pact not only institutionalizes long-term military and strategic collaboration but also enhances intelligence sharing, joint exercises, and maritime domain awareness. This comprehensive defense cooperation aligns with both nations’ shared goals to address emerging security challenges and maintain peace across the strategically critical Indo-Pacific region.
