India and the United States have signed a 10-year framework agreement to expand their defence cooperation, marking a significant step in their growing strategic partnership.
The deal was announced after a meeting between US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Kuala Lumpur. The agreement focuses on enhancing "coordination, information sharing and tech cooperation" and advancing "regional stability and deterrence", Hegseth said in a post on X.
New decade of partnership
Rajnath Singh described the agreement as a signal of growing strategic convergence between New Delhi and Washington.
"It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new decade of partnership. Defence will remain as a major pillar of our bilateral relations. Our partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region," Singh said, in a post on X.
According to officials, the framework will serve as a policy roadmap for the entire spectrum of India-US defence relations, from joint military exercises and technology exchange to supply-chain resilience and maritime security cooperation.
Part of broader strategic realignment
The defence pact comes at a time when both countries are working to finalize a trade deal amid strained relations following US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty on Russian oil and arms purchases.
Analysts say the new framework reflects both sides’ determination to move beyond trade tensions and focus on long-term strategic and security convergence.
India and the US have been steadily strengthening their defence ties in recent years. Defence cooperation was a key topic during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington in February, where Trump announced plans to increase US military equipment sales to India, including the possibility of F-35 stealth fighter jets in the future.
However, India’s reliance on discounted Russian oil and its historic defence partnership with Moscow have caused friction with Washington. While Russia remains a major arms supplier, its share in India’s defence imports has been declining steadily as New Delhi looks to diversify suppliers and boost domestic production under its “Make in India” initiative.
In recent months, India has also signaled its openness to increasing energy and defence purchases from the US, reflecting a gradual strategic shift in its foreign policy priorities.
Trade talks, broader Indo-Pacific goals
The signing of the defence agreement coincides with ongoing high-stakes trade negotiations between the two countries, aimed at reaching a comprehensive trade deal by November.
Both governments view the new defence framework as a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific security cooperation, aligning with their shared goal of countering instability and promoting a rules-based international order.
