India and US on Friday gave a fillip to their ties by signing a pact on 10-year defence framework, which Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described as a signal of growing bilateral, strategic ties, even as Washington vowed to work closely with New Delhi to ensure a free and an open Indo-Pacific.
Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed the framework agreement for the US-India defence pact following their wide-ranging talks in Kuala Lumpur, which focused on boosting strategic ties.
The pact was finalised as the validity of a similar agreement signed in 2015 will end soon. Its signing came amid efforts by the two sides to repair their relationship, which hit its lowest in nearly two decades over 50 per cent tariffs slapped by Washington on Indian goods.
Describing his talks with Hegseth as fruitful, Rajnath Singh posted on social media, “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. Defence will remain as the major pillar of our bilateral relations. Our partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region.”
On his part, Hegseth said the agreement “advances our defence partnership, a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence.” “We’re enhancing our coordination, info sharing, and tech cooperation. Our defense ties have never been stronger,” he said.
Hegseth and Singh are in Kuala Lumpur to attend a meeting of a grouping of nations comprising ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member States and some of its dialogue partners.
The meeting was constructive and the delegation-level talks were followed by a one-on-one meeting. An Indian readout said Rajnath Singh and Hegseth appreciated the continuing momentum in the bilateral defence cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to further build upon the mutually beneficial partnership across all its pillars.
