- India and the United States have signed a 10-year Defence Framework Agreement in Kuala Lumpur , marking a major milestone in their strategic and military partnership. The pact reflects their shared goal of promoting a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific .
Deepening Strategic Partnership
- The agreement was exchanged between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during the ASEAN–India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting. Both leaders hailed it as a step forward in strengthening coordination, defence technology cooperation, and information sharing. Hegseth described it as a “cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence.”
Key Elements of the Framework
- The new framework outlines long-term policy directions for collaboration in joint military exercises, defence innovation, industrial cooperation, and maritime security . Singh said the agreement ushers in a “new era” of defence engagement, reaffirming the sector’s role as a central pillar of India–US relations .
Focus on Indo-Pacific Security
- Emphasising the importance of a stable Indo-Pacific, both nations reiterated support for freedom of navigation and ASEAN’s central role in regional peace. The US highlighted India’s role as a key strategic partner in maintaining balance and upholding international maritime norms.
Key Facts for Exams:
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Signed in Kuala Lumpur on 31 October 2025 .
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Exchanged between Rajnath Singh and Pete Hegseth .
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Establishes policy direction for the US–India Major Defence Partnership .
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Focuses on defence technology, coordination, and Indo-Pacific security cooperation .
Strategic Momentum Ahead
Signed on the sidelines of the ASEAN–India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting, the agreement underscores growing strategic alignment between India and the United States as they work to ensure peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Month: Current Affairs - October 31, 2025
Category: international defence cooperation