India and US Sign 10-Year Defence Framework Pact to Strengthen Strategic Ties

PTI, New Delhi, Oct 31, 2025 : India and the United States on Friday signed a 10-year defence framework pact that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed as a "signal" of the growing bilateral strategic relationship. The pact, which aims to enhance defence cooperation, comes as Washington reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with New Delhi to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Singh and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed the framework agreement for the 'US-India Major Defence Partnership' during their talks in Kuala Lumpur, which focused on strengthening strategic ties across all areas of collaboration. The signing of the agreement follows efforts by both countries to repair relations that had recently soured, partly due to the imposition of a 50% tariff on Indian goods by the US.

The new framework pact is designed to provide a broader vision and policy direction to deepen bilateral defence cooperation, particularly as the validity of a similar pact signed in 2015 is set to expire.

Describing his discussions with Hegseth as "fruitful," Singh stated that the framework would usher in a "new era" for India-US defence ties. "This defence framework will provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of the India-US defence relationship. It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new decade of partnership," Singh said on social media.

He emphasized that defence would remain a key pillar of the bilateral relationship, stating, "Our partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region."

Hegseth, for his part, highlighted the significance of the agreement, noting that it "advances our defence partnership, a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence." He added, "We're enhancing our coordination, information sharing, and tech cooperation. Our defense ties have never been stronger," he said.