Image Credit: X account @SecWar
India and U.S. Sign 10-Year Defence Framework
On October 31, 2025, the United States and India formalised a 10-year defence cooperation framework, marking a significant deepening of military ties between the two nations. U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth described the pact as a cornerstone for regional stability and said military relations “have never been stronger”.
Key Elements and Scope
The agreement outlines long-term coordination on joint exercises, intelligence sharing, defence-industrial collaboration and technology transfer. It builds on earlier foundational pacts and is designed to expand interoperability between Indian and U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific region. Both sides have committed to accelerate pending defence sales and co-production efforts.
Strategic Implications for Region
The new framework signals a shift toward closer strategic alignment amid growing geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific. For India, the agreement enhances its defence options and cements its role as a major U.S. partner. For the U.S., it strengthens a key regional alliance. While trade tensions between the countries persist, the defence roadmap appears insulated from those frictions.
