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US, India Sign 10-Year Defense Partnership Framework to Deepen Strategic Ties
India and the US have signed a new 10-year defense framework to expand military, technical, and intelligence cooperation — marking another phase in their long-term strategic alignment.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-01
US, India Sign 10-Year Defense Partnership Framework to Deepen Strategic Ties

India and the United States have signed a new 10-year framework agreement to enhance defense cooperation, reaffirming their growing strategic and security partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Framework for the US-India Major Defense Partnership was announced after a meeting between US Secretary of Defense Pat Hegseth and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in Kuala Lumpur.

Pat Hegseth stated on social media platform X that the agreement will boost “coordination, information exchange, and technical cooperation” between the two nations, contributing to regional stability and defense balance.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh described the agreement as “a sign of our growing strategic alignment” and said it would “usher in a new era of partnership,” emphasizing that defense cooperation remains a core pillar of US-India relations.

The new framework comes as both countries work to normalize trade ties and address strained diplomatic relations following recent trade disputes and regional security tensions.

A Legacy of Defense Cooperation

While hailed as a new milestone, experts point out that this framework is a continuation of a decades-long series of agreements between the two countries.

Former Pakistani Ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani noted on X that the US and India have been renewing similar defense agreements every decade. “It seems that the US is signing the same old defense agreement with India every 10 years,” he wrote, adding that similar frameworks were signed in 2005 and 2015.

The 2015 Framework

The 2015 Framework for the India-US Defense Relationship was signed during the Obama administration when then-US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter visited India. That agreement focused on joint development projects, including mobile electric hybrid power sources and protective gear for soldiers in biological environments.

A press release from the US Department of Defense at the time clarified that the agreement was a continuation of the 2005 New Framework Agreement.

The 2005 New Framework Agreement

The 2005 New Framework Agreement marked a major step in reshaping the US-India defense relationship after decades of limited cooperation during the Cold War. It created a Defense Acquisition and Production Group to promote defense trade, joint production, and technology sharing.

It also paved the way for future agreements on military research, testing, and naval training programs, signaling a new level of defense engagement between the two nations.

The 1995 Defense Partnership

The earliest modern defense understanding between the US and India dates back to 1995, signed under US Defense Secretary William J. Perry. That agreement aimed to launch a “new era of security relations” and included joint exercises, training programs, and research cooperation.

However, the momentum was short-lived — in 1998, after India’s nuclear tests, the US imposed sanctions and restricted military exports to New Delhi.

A Strategic Continuum

Analysts say the 2025 agreement underscores the continuity of defense collaboration between the two countries rather than a fresh initiative. The framework seeks to strengthen mutual defense capabilities, enhance technological exchange, and promote joint operations and military readiness in an evolving global landscape marked by regional rivalries and shifting alliances.

The renewed partnership also reflects Washington’s intent to bolster ties with New Delhi as part of its broader strategy to maintain balance and counter growing Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Tagged:

DefenseCooperation

IndoPacific

StrategicPartnership

USIndiaDefense
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