‘Ties never been stronger’: US and India ink landmark 10-year defence deal

In a major boost to strategic cooperation, the United States and India on Friday signed a landmark 10-year Defence Framework aimed at deepening military, technological, and intelligence collaboration. The deal was announced by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth after a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Hegseth called the agreement “ambitious” and said it marks a “critical step forward” in advancing defence ties that are now “stronger than ever.” He noted that the framework establishes a roadmap for enhanced coordination, technology sharing, and information exchange between the two nations, calling the India-US partnership a “cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence.”

Rajnath Singh’s meeting with Hegseth comes amid a series of high-level India-US interactions during the ASEAN meetings, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this week. The discussions focused on strengthening security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and addressing regional challenges.

The defence framework also comes at a time when trade negotiations between both nations are ongoing, following Washington’s recent decision to double tariffs on Indian goods over Russian oil imports. Despite tensions, officials from both sides have reaffirmed their commitment to long-term strategic and economic collaboration based on “mutual trust and respect.”