In a major step to strengthen defence cooperation, the United States and India on Friday signed a new 10-year Defence Framework Agreement. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the deal marks a new milestone in the growing partnership between the two countries.
Hegseth announced on X that he met Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to formalise the agreement. He said the new framework will deepen coordination, information sharing, and technology collaboration between the two nations.
According to him, the India-US defence partnership plays a key role in maintaining regional stability and security, and their military ties are now stronger than ever.
The meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth took place just days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur on October 27.
During their discussion, both leaders covered a broad range of topics including from strengthening bilateral relations to addressing regional and global challenges and reflecting on the growing depth of India-US cooperation across multiple areas.
Broader Context: Trade Talks and Strategic Cooperation
Jaishankar later shared on X that he appreciated the discussion on both nations’ ties and on pressing international issues. His remarks showed how the India-US partnership continues to evolve through regular, high-level diplomatic and defence engagements.
This latest interaction also comes at a time when trade negotiations between India and the US are underway, adding another layer to the ongoing strategic dialogue between the two countries.
Last week, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that India would not rush into trade agreements or accept terms that could restrict its freedom to make independent economic decisions. His comments reflected New Delhi’s careful strategy — one that balances global engagement with self-reliance.
Goyal also pointed out that trade deals are not only about tariffs or market access but about building trust, fostering long-term relationships, and creating stable frameworks for business cooperation. His stance highlights India’s focus on ensuring that any agreement with the US supports its long-term economic interests.
