The United States has signed a 10-year defense framework agreement with India, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday.
The framework is considered a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence, enhancing coordination, information sharing and technological cooperation between the two nations, Hegseth posted on X after a meeting with his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh.
I just met with @rajnathsingh to sign a 10-year U.S.-India Defense Framework.
This advances our defense partnership, a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence.
We’re enhancing our coordination, info sharing, and tech cooperation. Our defense ties have never been… pic.twitter.com/hPmkZdMDv2
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 31, 2025
As India and the United States work to finalize a trade agreement and ease strained relations following President Donald Trump’s imposition of 50% tariffs on India—including a 25% penalty for purchasing Russian oil and arms—the two nations are also strengthening their defense partnership.
The upcoming agreement is expected to guide future defense cooperation. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington in February, defense collaboration was a key topic.
Trump announced plans to expand U.S. military equipment sales to India by billions of dollars, a move aimed at deepening strategic ties and potentially enabling India to acquire advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets.
