Picture Credit : @rajnathsingh/X
India and the US have signed a 10-year defence framework pact that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described as a “signal” of growing bilateral strategic ties even as Washington vowed to work closely with New Delhi to ensure a free and an open Indo-Pacific.
Accoprding to media reports, Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed the framework agreement for the ‘US-India major defence partnership’ pact following their wide-ranging talks in Kuala Lumpur that focused on boosting strategic ties across all its pillars.
The signing of the agreement came amid efforts by the two sides to repair ties that have hit their lowest point in nearly two decades over Washington’s slapping of 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.
The framework pact is intended to provide a broader vision and policy direction to deepen bilateral defence cooperation. It was firmed up as the validity of a similar pact signed in 2015 is coming to an end.
Describing his talks with Hegseth as “fruitful”, Singh said the framework agreement will usher in a “new era in our already strong defence partnership”.
Had a fruitful meeting with my US counterpart @SecWar Peter Hegseth in Kuala Lumpur. We signed the 10 years ‘Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership’. This will usher in a new era in our already strong defence partnership.
This Defence Framework will provide policy… pic.twitter.com/IEP6Udg9Iw
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 31, 2025
“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.
“Defence will remain as the major pillar of our bilateral relations. Our partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
On his part, Hegseth said the agreement “advances our defence partnership, a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence”.
“We’re enhancing our coordination, info sharing, and tech cooperation. Our defense ties have never been stronger,” he said.
