In a significant step toward deepening strategic and military cooperation, India and the United States have signed a comprehensive 10-year Defence Framework Agreement. The pact was formalized during a high-level meeting between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Kuala Lumpur, on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ dialogue.
The agreement establishes a long-term roadmap for collaboration across key areas including joint military exercises, technology sharing, defence manufacturing, intelligence exchange, and capacity building. It is seen as a cornerstone for enhancing regional stability and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, amid growing geopolitical challenges.
Defence Minister Singh described the signing as the beginning of a “new chapter” in bilateral defence ties, emphasizing India’s commitment to strengthening its partnerships with like-minded nations. Hegseth echoed the sentiment, stating that the framework would “advance our defence partnership and reinforce shared strategic priorities.”
