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India-US Sign Landmark 10-Year Defence Pact: A New Era of Strategic Partnership Amid Trade Tensions
Summary: India and the United States have inked a historic 10-year defence framework agreement in Kuala Lumpur, solidifying one of the world’s most crucial security partnerships. Despite ongoing trade frictions, the two democracies reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional stability, defence innovation, and a free Indo-Pacific.
India-US Defence Partnership Enters a New Decade
In a powerful show of strategic alignment, India and the United States on Friday signed a 10-year defence cooperation framework, deepening their collaboration in technology sharing, intelligence exchange, joint training, and maritime security.
The agreement was finalised during a fruitful meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Rajnath Singh called the pact a “signal of our growing strategic convergence”, adding that it marks “the beginning of a new decade of partnership and trust between India and the United States.”
“Defence will remain a major pillar of our bilateral relations. Our cooperation is vital for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific,” Singh emphasised.
Pete Hegseth echoed this sentiment, calling the framework “a cornerstone of regional stability and deterrence.”
He added, “This advances our defence partnership - strengthening coordination, intelligence sharing, and tech collaboration. Our ties have never been stronger.”
Background & Strategic Context
The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) is the highest defence forum within ASEAN, involving all 10 member nations - from Indonesia to Vietnam - along with eight dialogue partners, including India, the U.S., China, Russia, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and New Zealand.
For India, participation in ADMM-Plus aligns closely with its Act East Policy, aimed at strengthening defence and security cooperation across Southeast Asia. Singh said the meetings seek to “advance mutual security and foster stability through regional cooperation.”
Trade Friction, Strategic Focus
The timing of this pact is particularly striking. The agreement was signed shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s continued import of Russian oil as the trigger.
Yet, both sides pushed ahead with the defence deal - signalling that strategic and security priorities outweigh short-term trade disagreements.
Experts say this move sends a strong message: India and the U.S. are looking beyond transactional ties, towards building a long-term strategic architecture in the Indo-Pacific.
Key Takeaways
- 10-Year Roadmap: Ensures policy continuity, long-term planning, and coordinated defence strategies.
- Joint Development: Focus on co-production, co-development, and innovation in defence tech.
- Information Sharing: Enhanced real-time intelligence and maritime domain awareness.
- Regional Stability: Strengthens the Indo-Pacific’s security framework amid growing geopolitical tensions.
Meanwhile, China Watches Closely
On the same day, China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun met Pete Hegseth, urging both sides to “build trust and dispel uncertainty.”
According to Beijing’s statement, Dong remarked that “the two militaries should explore the right way to get along.” He reiterated that “the unification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is an irresistible historical trend.”
This underlines how the India-U.S. partnership - and the broader Indo-Pacific narrative - is increasingly being shaped by the strategic calculus involving China and Taiwan.
What This Means for India
This decade-long pact signals India’s growing role as a regional security anchor.
It also bolsters India’s defence industrial ecosystem, opening avenues for joint R&D, technology transfers, and defence manufacturing collaborations under the Make in India initiative.
By extending the partnership for 10 more years, both nations reaffirm their commitment to shared values of democracy, sovereignty, and peace.
(source-livemint)
Keywords: india us defence agreement 2025,10 year defence framework india united states,indo pacific partnership rajnath singh pete hegseth
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