India and the United States have signed a 10-year framework agreement to expand defence cooperation, marking a significant step forward in their strategic and military partnership.
The pact was announced following a meeting between US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Kuala Lumpur.
According to Hegseth, the agreement will strengthen “coordination, information sharing, and technology cooperation,” while advancing “regional stability and deterrence.”
The deal comes at a sensitive time, as both countries work to finalize a trade agreement and navigate strained ties following US President Donald Trump’s imposition of 50% tariffs on India, including a 25% penalty related to purchases of Russian oil and arms.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the agreement as a milestone, saying,
“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 region.”
Analysts say the framework is designed to provide policy direction for all aspects of the India–US defence relationship, covering joint exercises, intelligence exchange, and technology development.
Pramit Pal Chaudhuri of the Eurasia Group noted that the agreement had been delayed due to India’s discontent over Trump’s remarks about his role in easing tensions with Pakistan, but added that it will now pave the way for deeper cooperation.
“This pact builds on previous agreements that have enabled interoperability between the two militaries, improved technology access for India, and encouraged collaboration between defence industries in both nations,” Chaudhuri explained.
The signing underscores the growing momentum in India–US defence ties, which have accelerated since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington in February. During that visit, President Trump announced plans to significantly increase US military equipment sales to India, potentially including F-35 stealth fighter jets in the future.
Despite continued dependence on Russian defence imports, India has been steadily diversifying its portfolio — with a growing emphasis on US partnerships and domestic production.
Both countries are also engaged in high-stakes trade negotiations, aiming to conclude a long-awaited deal by November, which would further solidify one of the most consequential bilateral relationships in the Indo-Pacific region.
