India and the United States have signed a new 10-year Defence Framework Agreement aimed at strengthening defence and security cooperation between the two nations. The agreement was formalised on Friday, October 31, during the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his US counterpart Pete Hegseth.
The long-term pact focuses on enhancing strategic logistics support, boosting joint production, and expanding technology transfer for military modernisation. It also emphasises improving interoperability between the armed forces by allowing access to each other’s bases, logistics networks, and maintenance facilities.
According to reports, the agreement guarantees long-term access to advanced defence technologies, supporting India’s push for indigenous defence manufacturing and capability building. The deal is seen as a key step in strengthening the Indo-Pacific security architecture amid China’s increasing military assertiveness in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean region.
Singh described the agreement as the beginning of a “new chapter” in India-US defence ties, highlighting that he and Hegseth had previously held three telephonic discussions before this first in-person meeting. “I am confident that under your leadership, India-US relations will further strengthen,” Singh said.
The development comes shortly after Washington doubled tariffs on several Indian goods to 50% in August, which had strained trade relations. Officials noted that the new framework underscores both nations’ commitment to advancing mutual security interests and deepening strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
