India and the United States have signed a 10-year defense agreement. This agreement includes provisions for strategic coordination, technological cooperation, and information sharing. This pact will strengthen security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
US-India Defence Partnership: A new chapter in defense cooperation has begun between India and the United States. Recently, a meeting took place in Kuala Lumpur between India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, where both nations signed an agreement for defense cooperation for the next 10 years. This agreement is considered a significant step towards strengthening regional security and strategic cooperation.
Signing of the 10-Year US-India Defense Framework
The United States and India have signed a 10-year defense framework agreement to ensure cooperation in the defense sector for the next decade. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that this agreement will strengthen the defense partnership between the two countries and serve as a cornerstone for regional stability. He also added that under this agreement, information sharing, strategic coordination, and technology cooperation will be enhanced.
Rajnath Singh Says – 'A New Chapter Has Begun'
Regarding the agreement, India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said, "A significant meeting took place in Kuala Lumpur with my US counterpart Pete Hegseth. We signed the 10-year 'US-India Major Defense Partnership Framework.' This will usher in a new era in our already robust defense partnership. This defense framework will provide policy direction to India-US defense relations and lay the foundation for the next decade of partnership."
Rajnath Singh further stated that this agreement will not only strengthen bilateral relations but also help ensure free, open, and rules-based security in the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasized that the defense sector will remain a key pillar for our strategic convergence and global stability.
Evolving India-US Relations
India-US relations had appeared somewhat strained recently. Differences had emerged between the two countries, first over tariff disputes and then over India's purchase of crude oil from Russia. However, this agreement is now moving past these disagreements, giving new direction to strategic and defense cooperation between the two nations. Experts suggest that this step signifies increased trust and a strengthening of the long-term defense partnership between the two countries.
Under this agreement, India and the United States will share their strategic capabilities. This includes cooperation in information sharing, diplomatic coordination, modern weaponry, and defense technology. This will help both countries address security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and ensure regional stability.
Recent Diplomatic Meetings
Earlier, a few days prior, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur during the East Asia Summit. This meeting included discussions on India-US relations, as well as regional and global issues.
US Reaction
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the US is committed to further strengthening its defense relations with India. He said that this agreement will open new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries and reinforce the regional security framework. He also added that in the future, both nations will further promote strategic exercises, training, and technical cooperation.
