A landmark defence framework unveiled
On October 31, 2025, the India and the United States signed a sweeping 10-year defence cooperation framework, committing to deepen military and strategic ties across all domains. The agreement was signed by India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the ASEAN-plus defence ministers’ forum. Singh described the pact as the beginning of a “new chapter” in India-US defence partnerships, while Hegseth called it “a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence.”
Why the timing matters: defence amid tariff tensions
The new agreement comes amid escalating trade tensions between India and the U.S. Earlier in 2025, the U.S. had threatened or imposed sweeping tariffs on Indian exports, and bilateral trade negotiations were under pressure. By contrast, the defence deal signals that both nations are willing to compartmentalise strategic cooperation even as economic frictions persist. Analysts note that while the trade side is volatile, defence engagement appears to be moving ahead steadily.
Key components of the pact
- The framework will guide India–US defence cooperation across multiple domains: military exchanges, intelligence and information-sharing, joint exercises, technology development, and defence manufacturing collaboration.
- India will continue to procure major U.S. defence platforms and enhance interoperability with U.S. forces, while jointly developing infrastructure and capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The deal is intended to send a strong signal of commitment to a “free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific” region, reflecting both strategic priorities and regional security concerns.
The strategic calculus: mutual gains, complex balancing
For India, the framework strengthens its defence arsenal and deepens cooperation with a key global power. It reinforces India’s role as a major partner in regional security architecture.
For the U.S., the pact expands strategic depth in the Asia-Pacific and helps anchor an important ally amid rising geopolitical competition.
But the agreement also reflects complex balancing: India still engages with other powers, including Russia and China, and must manage its strategic autonomy while deepening ties with the U.S. Some analysts argue the current pact may be more about symbolic assurance than immediate capability leaps.
What to watch going forward
- How quickly the agreement is translated into concrete programmes—such as joint exercises, shared bases, and co-production of defence technology.
- Whether the defence cooperation stimulates parallel progress on the economic/trade side—especially whether the tariff impasse between India and the U.S. sees resolution.
- How regional players (e.g., China, Pakistan, ASEAN states) interpret and respond to the pact—whether it contributes to deterrence, triggers reactions, or shifts alignments.
- Whether India’s defence procurement posture changes significantly: will new platforms, collaborations or manufacturing-partnership announcements follow soon?
The bottom line
The India-U.S. 10-year defence framework marks a major strategic milestone in bilateral relations. It reflects both nations’ desire to solidify security ties even as economic relationships remain fraught. Whether the comprehensive vision translates into tangible outcomes—and whether it helps stabilise the broader India-U.S. relationship amidst tariff turbulence—remains to be seen.
