India, US sign 10-year defence pact to boost indigenous production, security
India, US sign 10-year defence pact to boost indigenous production, security
M.U.H
31/10/202522
India and the United States have signed a new 10-year Defence Framework during a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Malaysia.
Pete Hegseth posted on X, saying, “I just met with Rajnath Singh to sign a 10-year US-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 stronger.”
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
The 10-year defence framework, signed in Malaysia, traces its origins to the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump at the White House in February, where the framework was identified as a key outcome.
This development comes just days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Malaysia on October 27. The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including bilateral relations, regional developments, and global challenges, highlighting the sustained diplomatic and strategic engagement between New Delhi and Washington.
Earlier this year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Secretary Hegseth held a phone conversation in which the decision on the defence framework was finalised. A Pentagon statement released on Wednesday, July 2, confirmed the discussions, a day after the call between the two defence officials.
During their talks, Singh and Hegseth addressed several key issues, including pending major US defence sales to India and the need to deepen defence industrial cooperation. These discussions align with ongoing efforts to strengthen India’s domestic defence manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative.
A significant point of discussion was the delivery delays of GE Aerospace's F404 engines, critical for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. These delays have affected Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)'s ability to meet delivery schedules for the Indian Air Force.
Singh also emphasised the early finalisation of a proposed agreement between HAL and GE Aerospace for the joint production of F414 engines in India. The collaboration is expected to boost India’s indigenous defence production capabilities and reduce reliance on imports.
