 "India, US sign 10-year defence framework after Rajnath Singh meets Pete Hegseth in Malaysia")
India and the United States on Friday signed a 10-year defence framework as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with his American counterpart Pete Hegseth. The news was confirmed by the US Secretary of Defence on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I just met with @rajnathsingh to sign a 10-year US-India Defence Framework. This advances our defence partnership, a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence,” Hegseth said in a post on X. “We’re enhancing our coordination, info sharing, and tech cooperation. Our defence ties have never been stronger,” he furthered.
I just met with @rajnathsingh to sign a 10-year U.S.-India Defense Framework.
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 31, 2025
This advances our defense partnership, a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence.
We're enhancing our coordination, info sharing, and tech cooperation. Our defense ties have never been… pic.twitter.com/hPmkZdMDv2
The framework was signed after Singh held a meeting with Hegseth in Kuala Lumpur. Hegseth's Asia tour started shortly after US President Donald Trump finished his visit, during which he met Chinese President Xi Jinping.
#WATCH | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holds a meeting with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, in Kuala Lumpur. pic.twitter.com/EWbQAODo8p
— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2025
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The new India–US Defence Framework Agreement encompasses strategic logistics, joint production, and technology transfer as its core pillars. The signing of the agreement is being seen as a significant push to counter China’s expanding influence across the Indo-Pacific region.
The pact between the two nations is expected to deepen military interoperability, enabling the seamless use of each other’s bases, logistics, and maintenance facilities. The agreement will also secure long-term access to advanced defence technologies, crucial for India’s indigenous defence production and modernisation.
The primary aim of the deal is to strengthen the Indo-Pacific security architecture, signalling a united front against China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. The framework is also expected to boost India’s defence exports and innovation ecosystem through joint research, development, and next-generation projects in drones and AI-based warfare.
It is pertinent to note that this is the first time Singh and Hegseth met face-to-face. Singh was scheduled to visit Washington earlier this month; however, the visit was cancelled amid tensions between the two nations due to tariffs imposed by the US on Indian goods.
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