NEW DELHI: India and the United States are poised to sign a new 10-year Defence Framework Agreement before the end of 2025, underscoring deepening strategic ties between the two nations.
US Senior Defence Spokesperson Colonel Chris Devine confirmed the plan, following a phone conversation between US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on July 1.
The upcoming agreement aims to chart a long-term roadmap for expanded cooperation across defence production, military training, logistics, and joint operations. According to a Pentagon statement, both leaders reviewed the “considerable progress” achieved under the defence objectives laid out in the February 2025 joint statement by US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Hegseth reiterated the importance of India as a “key defence partner in South Asia” and highlighted the need for enhanced defence industrial collaboration and upcoming major US arms sales to India.
India’s Ministry of Defence also issued a statement noting that the two sides discussed broad issues ranging from increased interoperability, training, and military exchanges to integration of defence supply chains and cooperation with other like-minded nations.
In a post on X, Rajnath Singh expressed satisfaction over the conversation, stating, “Glad to speak with the US Secretary of Defense Mr. Pete Hegseth today. Excellent discussion to review the ongoing and new initiatives to further deepen India-US defence partnership… Looking forward to meet him at an early date.”
The agreement, once signed, will replace the existing framework and is expected to act as a foundation for deeper and more structured military and strategic collaboration over the next decade.
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