US and India Sign Historic 10-Year Defence Pact to Boost Strategic Partnership
October 31, 2025
The United States and India have officially signed a 10-year defence framework agreement, marking a major milestone in military and strategic cooperation between the two nations. The deal was announced by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth following his meeting with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday.
🤝 A New Era in US-India Defence Ties
Hegseth, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), described the agreement as a cornerstone for regional stability and technological collaboration, highlighting that “our defence ties have never been stronger.”
The pact aims to enhance coordination, intelligence sharing, and joint innovation in advanced defence technologies — strengthening both countries’ readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to the Hindustan Times, the signing took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, scheduled to begin on Saturday.
💬 Hegseth Calls Pact “Ambitious and Forward-Looking”
After the signing, Hegseth thanked Minister Singh for India’s partnership, calling the framework an “ambitious roadmap for deeper and more meaningful collaboration.”
He added, “This agreement underscores America’s long-term commitment to our shared security and a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
🌍 Diplomatic Context
The signing comes just days after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar in Malaysia — the highest-level contact since Washington imposed sanctions on Russian oil companies, a major supplier of India’s crude imports.
Jaishankar shared a photo of the meeting on social media, saying he “appreciated the discussion on bilateral ties and regional issues.”
⚠️ Recent Tensions and Trade Strains
US-India relations faced challenges earlier this year when President Donald Trump increased tariffs to 50%, accusing India of supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine through discounted oil purchases.
While New Delhi has not officially responded, Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to reduce Russian oil imports during a recent phone call.
In a separate move, the US introduced a one-time $100,000 fee for H-1B skilled worker visas, affecting thousands of Indian professionals — a decision India called “humanitarianly concerning” due to its impact on families.
🛡️ Looking Ahead
With the new defence pact in place, both Washington and New Delhi are expected to deepen joint training programs, boost defence production, and strengthen intelligence cooperation across key strategic sectors.
The agreement is seen as a symbol of growing trust between the world’s two largest democracies — and a clear message about their shared vision for regional peace, security, and technological progress.
