US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh signed a 10-year defense pact to enhance military collaboration, crucial for regional stability.

During an ASEAN summit in Malaysia, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh formalized a 10-year defense agreement known as the 'Framework for the US-India Major Defense Partnership.' This agreement is designed to deepen military cooperation, enhance intelligence sharing, and foster technology collaboration between the two countries. Both leaders emphasized the importance of this pact for regional stability and deterrence, with Hegseth describing it as a cornerstone for future collaboration. Singh highlighted the framework as a reflection of the growing strategic convergence between India and the US, particularly in the context of the Indo-Pacific region. The signing comes at a time when US-India relations have faced challenges, including tariffs and India's ongoing purchases of Russian oil, which have strained ties. Despite these issues, both nations are committed to improving their defense relationship.