Kuala Lumpur | October 31,2025 | SKY LINK TIMES
India-US took a major step toward strengthening their strategic partnership as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed a 10-year ‘Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership’ in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
The agreement, inked on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), is set to provide a long-term policy roadmap to enhance defence cooperation between the two democracies.
Table of Contents
A New Chapter in India-US Defence Relations
Describing the meeting as “fruitful,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on X (formerly Twitter),
> “We signed the 10-year ‘Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership’. This will usher in a new era in our already strong defence partnership.”
He added that the new framework would “provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of the India-US Defence Relationship” and “herald a new decade of partnership.”
Singh emphasised that defence remains a key pillar of the bilateral relationship, essential for ensuring a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
Hegseth: ‘Our Defence Ties Have Never Been Stronger’
US War Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed similar sentiments, calling the partnership a cornerstone for regional peace and stability.
> “This advances our defence partnership, a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence. We’re enhancing coordination, information sharing, and tech cooperation. Our defence ties have never been stronger,” Hegseth posted on X.
The new framework underscores both nations’ commitment to enhanced technology collaboration, joint exercises, and defence industry cooperation, including co-development and co-production initiatives under the Indo-Pacific strategy.
Also Read:https://skylinktimes.in/india-cyprus-ties-fm-kombos-visit-new-delhi-2025/
India’s Engagement at ADMM-Plus
Rajnath Singh arrived in Malaysia on Thursday for a two-day visit to attend the 12th ADMM-Plus, which begins November 1. He was received at Subang Airbase by India’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, B.N. Reddy.
The high-profile meeting will feature discussions among ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners, including India, the US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
During the session, the Defence Minister is expected to address the forum on the theme:
> “Reflection on 15 Years of ADMM-Plus and Charting the Way Forward.”
He will also hold bilateral meetings with defence ministers and senior military leaders from several participating nations.
Strengthening the Indo-Pacific Vision
The 10-year partnership framework reinforces the shared strategic vision of India and the US for maintaining peace, freedom of navigation, and stability across the Indo-Pacific. Experts see it as a continuation of the 2016 Defence Framework Agreement, now expanded to cover emerging areas like cybersecurity, space defence, and advanced technology exchange.
The signing marks a major milestone as the two nations continue to align their defence strategies amid evolving global challenges.
For More Info Stay Tuned: https://skylinktimes.in
