US and India Sign Historic 10-Year Defence Pact to Boost Strategic Ties

In a major boost to bilateral defence relations, the United States and India have signed a 10-year defence framework agreement, marking a new milestone in their strategic partnership. The pact, announced by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, underscores Washington’s commitment to working closely with New Delhi to promote stability and security across the Indo-Pacific region.

The agreement focuses on expanding intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, logistics support, and advanced technology cooperation between the two nations. It also lays the foundation for deeper collaboration in defence production and innovation, reinforcing India’s position as a key security partner in Asia.

According to reports, the announcement was made following a high-level meeting between Hegseth and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Both leaders emphasized the shared goal of maintaining peace and ensuring a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

Experts believe this decade-long pact reflects the growing convergence between Washington and New Delhi in countering emerging security challenges and balancing China’s expanding influence in the region. The agreement is also expected to pave the way for joint research, co-development of military platforms, and greater interoperability between the armed forces of both countries.

While the finer details of the framework remain undisclosed, officials from both sides have confirmed that its implementation will begin with a series of bilateral exercises and joint working groups to streamline operational and technological cooperation.

The new pact signals a long-term strategic vision shared by India and the United States, aimed at strengthening deterrence, enhancing defence manufacturing partnerships, and promoting collective stability in a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment.