India-US 10-Year Defence Agreement Signed: In a major boost to strategic cooperation, India and the United States on Friday signed a new 10-year defence framework agreement, marking a significant step toward deeper military collaboration, joint development, and high-end technology sharing. The landmark pact is expected to reshape the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region and strengthen defence ties between the two democracies.

The India-US 10-year defence agreement was signed on 31 October in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where both sides were attending the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus). India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth formalised the agreement during a bilateral meeting.

Significantly, the defence pact comes just one day after the US granted India a six-month exemption from sanctions related to Iran’s Chabahar Port, clearing uncertainties around the strategically important project. The port, leased to India for 10 years, plays a crucial role in India’s connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Why This Defence Agreement Matters

According to official reports, the pact is expected to deliver four major strategic benefits for both countries:

1. Enhanced Military Cooperation

Indian and American armed forces will conduct more joint training programmes, military exercises, and coordinated operations. This will improve interoperability and strengthen preparedness for regional challenges, especially in the Indo-Pacific.

2. Joint Defence Production

The agreement paves the way for co-production of weapons systems, defence equipment, and cutting-edge technologies. This will support India’s “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” objectives while opening doors for US companies to collaborate with Indian defence industries.

3. Advanced Technology Sharing

One of the most critical features of the agreement is the US commitment to share select advanced defence technologies with India. This includes high-end systems that can support modern warfare capabilities and upgrade India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.

4. Intelligence and Information Exchange

Both nations will deepen their intelligence-sharing mechanisms, ensuring better coordination on counterterrorism, maritime security, and threats emerging in the broader Indo-Pacific region.

US Defence Secretary: “A New Era of Coordination and Technology Sharing”

After signing the agreement, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X that the India-US 10-year defence agreement will usher in “a new era of coordination, information sharing and technological cooperation” between the two countries.

He expressed gratitude to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, calling the US-India defence partnership “one of the most important relationships in the world today.” Hegseth added that Washington trusts India as a stable and responsible power committed to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

India’s Response: Strengthening Act East Policy and Regional Security

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the agreement will significantly strengthen India’s defence cooperation with ASEAN nations as well. He emphasised that the pact supports India’s Act East Policy, which aims to deepen strategic engagement with Southeast Asian countries.

Singh added that closer defence ties with the US will help India enhance maritime security, counter emerging threats, and maintain stability across the region.

Trade Negotiations Continue Alongside Defence Partnership

The signing of the defence agreement comes at a time when India and the US are negotiating a potential trade deal. Recently, the US imposed an additional 50% tariff on Indian purchases of Russian oil, adding complexity to trade relations.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal clarified that India will not rush into any agreement under pressure. He stressed that India will not accept terms that may restrict its trade or strategic autonomy.

“Trade is not just about tariffs—it is about trust and long-term relationships,” Goyal said. However, he also added that both sides are working actively and hope to reach a fair and balanced outcome soon.

Recent High-Level Talks Strengthening Diplomatic Ties

A few days before the defence pact was signed, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was also in Kuala Lumpur, where he met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing key global challenges.

During the East Asia Summit, Jaishankar raised concerns about rising pressure on global energy trade, saying that selective application of rules and geopolitical disruptions were affecting global markets.

His comments reflected India’s broader concern about energy security and stable supply chains, especially at a time of shifting global alliances.

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Strategic Significance of the India-US Defence Agreement

The India-US 10-year defence agreement is being widely seen as a milestone that will reshape regional geopolitics. Its significance can be understood in four key areas:

1. Indo-Pacific Stability

With China’s growing assertiveness, India and the US aim to maintain a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. This long-term defence pact helps strengthen that shared vision.

2. Defence Modernisation for India

Access to advanced American technologies will accelerate India’s defence modernisation, boost domestic manufacturing, and reduce dependency on traditional suppliers.

3. Stronger Counterterrorism Framework

Greater intelligence-sharing ensures more coordinated action against terrorism and cross-border threats.

4. Long-Term Strategic Partnership

The 10-year duration itself signals stability and trust, ensuring commitment beyond political changes in either country.

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Conclusion

The signing of the India-US 10-year defence agreement marks the beginning of a stronger, more technologically advanced and strategically aligned partnership between the two nations. With enhanced military cooperation, joint defence production, high-end technology sharing, and improved intelligence exchange, the pact lays the foundation for a robust security framework in the Indo-Pacific.

Coupled with the US exemption for India’s operations at Chabahar Port and ongoing diplomatic engagements, the agreement underscores the growing depth of the India-US relationship—one that is set to shape regional and global dynamics for the next decade.