In a significant move to strengthen bilateral defence relations, India and the United States signed a 10-year framework agreement during a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The agreement, officially titled the 10-Year Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership, is intended to provide a long-term policy direction for the entire spectrum of defence cooperation between the two countries.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the pact as a landmark development that would usher in a new era in India-US defence relations. “Had a fruitful meeting with my US counterpart. 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 direction to the entire spectrum of the India-US Defence Relationship,” Singh said in a statement on X.

The pact is also a clear indicator of the growing strategic convergence between India and the US. Defence Minister Singh emphasised that defence cooperation would continue to be a major pillar of bilateral relations, contributing to regional stability and ensuring a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. Both countries, he noted, are committed to upholding a rules-based international order that promotes peace, prosperity, and stability in the region.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed these sentiments, highlighting that India-US defence ties have never been stronger. “I just met with @rajnathsingh to sign a 10-year US-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,” Hegseth said in a post on X.

The signing of this framework comes at a critical juncture for India, which is attempting to balance its strategic relations with the US while maintaining longstanding ties with Russia. In recent weeks, India and the US have renewed contacts to revive stalled negotiations on a trade deal. The trade talks had been disrupted by former US President Donald Trump’s imposition of 25% reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods, followed by a 25% penalty linked to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil.

Beyond trade considerations, the defence framework represents a broader effort to enhance India’s security posture amid increasing Chinese assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. China has been actively expanding its influence in the region through military bases, maritime claims, and strategic pressure on smaller nations. The framework aims to strengthen India’s deterrence capabilities through closer coordination, intelligence sharing, and technology collaboration with the US.

This agreement builds upon previous defence cooperation between India and the US. Last year, the two countries signed a separate pact ensuring mutual supply of defence goods and services. That agreement allowed both nations to access industrial resources from one another to address unforeseen supply chain disruptions and meet national security requirements. The new 10-year framework expands the scope of cooperation, providing a structured roadmap for defence engagement over the next decade.

The long-term nature of the framework is designed to provide stability and predictability in India-US defence relations. By setting a clear policy direction for the next ten years, both countries aim to deepen collaboration across a wide range of areas, including joint exercises, training programs, research and development, logistics, and technology transfer. It also signals a shared commitment to enhancing regional security architectures and promoting a rules-based approach in the Indo-Pacific, countering efforts by other powers to unilaterally assert influence in the region.

The strategic dimension of the pact is particularly significant as it aligns with India’s vision of playing a larger role in regional security while maintaining strategic autonomy. By solidifying defence ties with the US, India strengthens its position in the Indo-Pacific and demonstrates its commitment to working with like-minded partners to ensure peace and stability.

The framework also sends a message of deterrence to adversaries by signaling closer collaboration on defence preparedness, technology sharing, and intelligence exchange. Both India and the US have emphasised the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the region, particularly in light of China’s ongoing military expansion and aggressive maritime policies.

Analysts view the 10-year defence framework as part of India’s broader strategy to diversify its defence partnerships while continuing engagement with multiple global powers. The agreement complements other multilateral and bilateral initiatives aimed at enhancing India’s security capabilities, including participation in joint military exercises, defence procurement collaborations, and technological partnerships with countries in Europe, Asia, and North America.

For the US, the agreement reinforces its commitment to India as a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific. It allows for deeper cooperation on shared security challenges and strengthens the framework for interoperability between the armed forces of both nations. The pact also enhances mutual trust and confidence, creating opportunities for sustained collaboration on cutting-edge military technologies and intelligence capabilities.

In sum, the 10-year US-India defence framework marks a decisive step forward in bilateral relations, combining strategic, operational, and technological dimensions. By providing a structured roadmap for the next decade, it sets the stage for a more integrated partnership, reinforcing both countries’ roles in maintaining regional security, promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific, and addressing emerging global challenges.

With the agreement now in place, India and the US are poised to deepen defence cooperation at multiple levels, demonstrating a shared commitment to upholding a rules-based order and countering security threats in the Indo-Pacific over the coming decade.