WASHINGTON – The United States and India have signed a landmark 10-year Defense Framework Agreement aimed at strengthening military collaboration, enhancing technology transfer, and expanding intelligence sharing between the two nations.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the agreement would serve as a “milestone for regional stability and shared security,” emphasizing that defense ties between Washington and New Delhi are now “stronger than ever.”
The signing took place in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, where Secretary Hegseth met with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
Following the signing, Hegseth described the US-India relationship as “one of the most significant partnerships in the world.”
Calling the agreement “ambitious and historic,” Hegseth said it would pave the way for deeper and more meaningful cooperation between the armed forces of both countries, encompassing joint training, advanced defense production, and coordinated security efforts.
This development follows a recent meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, during which both sides discussed bilateral ties and regional security concerns.
The renewed strategic partnership comes despite recent strains in US-India relations. Tensions had surfaced in previous months after former US President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods and accused New Delhi of purchasing oil from Russia in defiance of Western sanctions.
Additionally, the United States last month introduced a temporary $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, a move that affected a large number of Indian professionals working in the US tech sector.
Both Washington and New Delhi, however, now appear committed to revitalizing their defense and strategic cooperation under the new long-term framework, signaling a fresh chapter in bilateral relations.
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