India, US Ink 10-year Defence Framework Pact As Rajnath Singh Meets Pete Hegseth In Malaysia

India and the US formalised a ten-year Defence Framework Agreement in Kuala Lumpur, marking a significant step in strategic cooperation. The agreement enhances military collaboration and reflects a commitment to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth formalised a ten-year Defence Framework Agreement in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. This agreement signifies an advancement in India-US strategic and defence cooperation.

The signing ceremony, attended by senior officials from both nations, sets a long-term plan for military collaboration, capacity building, and joint projects across the Indo-Pacific region.

The meeting took place alongside the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), where Singh leads the Indian delegation. His visit to Malaysia also includes discussions with Defence Minister Khaled Nordin and participation in sessions on regional peace and counter-terrorism. India and Malaysia are co-chairs of the Experts' Working Group on Counter Terrorism for 2024-2027, highlighting New Delhi's commitment to promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

Rajnath Singh described the agreement as the start of a "new chapter" in bilateral defence relations. He expressed confidence that under Hegseth's leadership, India-US relations would grow stronger. "We have held telephonic conversations thrice. I am delighted to be meeting you in person on the sidelines of ADMM-Plus. On this occasion, I feel a new chapter will begin today with the signing of the Defence Framework. I am confident that under your leadership, India-US relations will further strengthen," ANI quoted Rajnath as stating.

Hegseth praised the partnership with India, calling it one of the most important US-India relationships globally. He emphasised that their strategic alignment is based on shared interests and mutual trust. "I want to express gratitude to Minister Singh for the partnership we have with India. It's one of the most consequential US-India relationships in the world. Our strategic alignment is built on shared interests, on mutual trust and commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region," he said.

Long-term Commitment

The 10-year US-India Defence Framework is ambitious and marks a significant step for both militaries. It provides a roadmap for deeper collaboration ahead and underscores America's long-term commitment to shared security and partnership. "This 10-year US-India Defence Framework is ambitious. It's a significant step for our two militaries, a roadmap for deeper and even more meaningful collaboration ahead. It underscores America's long-term commitment to our shared security and our strong partnership," Hegseth stated.

After their meeting, Singh posted on X about the framework's importance: "This Defence Framework will provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of the India-US Defence Relationship. It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new decade of partnership."

This agreement not only strengthens military ties but also enhances India's role in regional peace efforts within the Indo-Pacific framework. The collaboration between India and Malaysia as co-chairs reflects New Delhi's increasing involvement in promoting stability through cooperative measures.

With inputs from ANI