The United States and India have signed a 10-year defense framework agreement, marking a major step in strengthening strategic cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement was confirmed by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a post on social media platform X following his meeting with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday.
Both sides believe the new framework will play a crucial role in enhancing security, deterrence capabilities, and regional stability across South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. It is also expected to boost coordination, information sharing, and technological collaboration between the two defense establishments.
“This defense framework elevates our partnership to an unprecedented level,” said Secretary Hegseth. “The U.S.–India military relationship has never been stronger. This agreement demonstrates that commercial tensions between our nations have not affected our strategic cooperation.”
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh described the signing as “the beginning of a new chapter,” adding, “I am confident that under your leadership, India–U.S. relations will grow even stronger.”
Analysts note that the agreement carries added significance amid rising strategic competition with China in the region. Beyond defense cooperation, the pact further consolidates the two countries’ geopolitical alignment.
Meanwhile, discussions are also underway on a potential trade agreement between India and the United States, which observers say could take bilateral economic relations to a new level in the coming years.
Sources: The Economic Times, Reuters.