‘New chapter begins’: US and India strengthen defence ties with 10-year framework amid trade tension

In a landmark move underscoring deepening strategic cooperation, India and the United States have signed a 10-year Defence Framework Agreement aimed at expanding military collaboration and enhancing regional security. The pact, finalized on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, marks what Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the beginning of a “new chapter” in bilateral relations.

The agreement comes at a delicate moment in U.S.-India ties, as both countries continue to navigate trade friction triggered by Washington’s tariff hikes on Indian goods. Despite those challenges, defence cooperation has emerged as a stabilizing pillar of the partnership. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the signing in a post on X, stating that the framework would strengthen coordination between the two militaries through “enhanced information sharing, technology cooperation, and joint operational planning.”

“This advances our defense partnership — a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence,” Hegseth wrote. “Our strategic alignment is built on shared interests, mutual trust, and a commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.” He described the agreement as “ambitious” and “one of the most consequential U.S.-India relationships in the world.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh echoed those sentiments, calling the framework a “turning point” for India-U.S. defence cooperation. “We signed the 10-year ‘Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defence Partnership.’ This will usher in a new era in our already strong defence partnership,” Singh said.
He added that the agreement would serve as a policy guide for all areas of defence collaboration — from joint exercises and logistics to emerging technologies and cybersecurity — reinforcing the two nations’ shared goal of maintaining a “free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.”

The defence breakthrough comes amid lingering trade tensions. U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent decision to double tariffs on Indian goods in retaliation for India’s continued purchase of Russian oil has slowed progress on a new trade deal. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that while negotiations remain active, India will not accept any agreement that compromises its sovereign economic choices. “Trade deals are not just about tariffs — they’re about building trust and long-term cooperation,” Goyal said. “We continue to work toward a fair and equitable agreement.” Analysts view the Defence

Framework as a major signal of resilience in U.S.-India relations — demonstrating that security and strategic trust can move forward even as trade disputes persist. The agreement reinforces both nations’ alignment in countering regional threats and maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific, a region increasingly defined by great-power competition and maritime challenges.
With the signing of this long-term pact, Washington and New Delhi appear committed to expanding defence interoperability, co-developing technology, and ensuring that the world’s two largest democracies remain key partners in shaping the balance of power in Asia.