India and US Sign 10-Year Defence Framework Agreement

• 31 Oct 2025

On 31st October 2025, India and the United States signed a landmark 10-year Defence Framework Agreement in Kuala Lumpur, marking a new chapter in their deepening strategic partnership.

• The agreement was exchanged between Defence Minister and US Secretary of War, providing long-term policy direction for the US–India Major Defence Partnership.

Key Points

• Long-Term Strategic Framework: The 10-year agreement sets a roadmap for comprehensive defence collaboration, covering policy coordination, joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and technology cooperation.
• Focus on Indo-Pacific Stability: Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region, recognizing the partnership as crucial for regional security and deterrence.
• ASEAN Context: The signing took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN–India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, ahead of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) scheduled for November 1.
• Alignment with India’s Act East Policy: Defence Minister highlighted that India’s engagements with ASEAN nations aim to strengthen defence and security cooperation in line with the country’s ‘Act East Policy’.