Announcing the deal, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the framework would “advance the India-US defence partnership—a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence.” Hegseth shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), following a meeting with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Kuala Lumpur.
> “We’re enhancing our coordination, information sharing, and tech cooperation. Our defense ties have never been stronger,” Hegseth wrote, describing the agreement as “ambitious” and “a roadmap for deeper collaboration ahead.”
The framework, which replaces the earlier 2015 agreement, is designed to boost joint military exercises, technology exchange, and intelligence coordination between the two democracies. It also reaffirms Washington’s long-term commitment to supporting India’s defence modernization and its role in maintaining peace across the Indo-Pacific.
Following the signing, Hegseth expressed gratitude to Rajnath Singh, calling the partnership “one of the most consequential relationships in the world.” He added that the two nations’ “strategic alignment is built on shared interests, mutual trust, and a commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”
The signing took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, which precedes the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) scheduled for November 1. Singh’s visit comes as part of India’s continued engagement under its Act East Policy, aimed at bolstering defence and security cooperation with Southeast Asian nations.
The new framework coincides with a period of intense diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Washington. Just days earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur, where the two discussed bilateral ties and regional challenges.
Amid ongoing trade negotiations between India and the US, tensions remain over Washington’s tariff hikes on Indian goods following New Delhi’s oil imports from Russia. Nevertheless, both sides have reaffirmed their intention to pursue “a fair and equitable” trade deal.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently emphasized that India “will not sign any trade agreement in haste,” asserting that deals must be built on trust and long-term cooperation rather than short-term gains.
The fresh defence accord signals a renewed era in India-US relations—one marked by strategic depth, mutual reliance, and shared democratic values—as both nations look to navigate an increasingly complex global security landscape.
Social Footer