India and US Agree on 10-Year Defense Framework to Strengthen Intelligence and Tech Ties - As-Salamu Alaikum
As-Salamu Alaikum - NEW DELHI: Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a 10-year defense framework on Friday to expand cooperation, marking what officials are calling a “new era” in their bilateral relationship amid some trade tensions.
The two ministers finalized the framework for the India–US Major Defense Partnership during a ministerial meeting in Kuala Lumpur. The agreement is meant to guide policy and deepen defense collaboration between the countries.
“This will bring in a new era for our strong defense partnership … It signals our growing strategic alignment and will start a new decade of cooperation,” Singh said in a post. He added that defense will remain a key pillar of their relationship and that the partnership is important for a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
The pact arrives while the countries work on resolving trade issues - including recent US tariffs on some Indian goods - but leaders say strategic ties remain a priority. Hegseth described the framework as a “cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence” and said it will boost India–US intelligence sharing and technological cooperation.
Officials said the deal will enhance coordination, information sharing, and tech work between the militaries, and that defense ties are now stronger than before. The new agreement extends a similar arrangement from 2015 that covered joint technology projects, defense trade and military exchanges.
Plans for this extension were first announced when India’s Prime Minister met with the US president earlier in the year. They pledged to lift military cooperation across air, land, sea, space and cyberspace through better training, exercises and operations that use advanced technologies.
Analysts note the pact is driven in part by shared concerns about China’s growing military reach. Experts say the agreement should help both countries - India’s location in the region and America’s satellite and intelligence capabilities complement each other when monitoring naval activity and ensuring regional stability.
May Allah keep nations guided towards peaceful and just policies.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/